1810
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
1811
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
dearly loved
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
divisible by two
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
the act of departing
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
HAZLITTnoun
English essayist and literary critic (1778-1830)
From this reading MARY LAMB TO SARAH HAZLITT [?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
inhospitableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈhɑːspətəbəl/
unfavorable to life or growth
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
joyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
LAMBnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading MARY LAMB TO SARAH HAZLITT [?
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
in the recent past
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
engage in
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading MARY LAMB TO SARAH HAZLITT [?
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
a particular point in time
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
NamelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
not any; not one
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
notifyverbUS /ˈnoʊtəfaɪ/
inform (somebody) of something
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
and nothing more
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading End of 1810 or early 1811.]
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
SARAHnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading MARY LAMB TO SARAH HAZLITT [?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARY LAMB TO SARAH HAZLITT [?
precisely as stated
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
accept gladly
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Every morning lately I have been expecting to see you drop in, even before your letter came; and I have been setting my wits to work to think how to make you as comfortable as the nature of our inhospitable habits will admit.
produce a literary work
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Namely, that I shall be very much joyed to see you.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading My dear Sarah,--I have taken a large sheet of paper, as if I were going to write a long letter; but that is by no means my intention, for I only have time to write three lines to notify what I ought to have done the moment I received your welcome letter.
