used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
have
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
complaisancenoun
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
conservatorynounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɔːri/
the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
contradictverbUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/
be in contradiction with
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
at any time
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
to an extreme degree
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
not any; not one
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
like better; value more highly
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
an angry dispute
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
without much difficulty
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
express the need or desire for
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
Rosa'snounUS /ˈroʊzəz/
possessive form of “rosa” — large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
term of address for a man
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
thwartnounUS /θwɔːrt/
a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat
From this reading "I hate to contradict her," said the husband; "ever since she has taken to doing as I wish when I ask, I cannot bear to thwart her at all."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
WatsonnounUS /ˈwɑːtsən/
United States telephone engineer who assisted Alexander Graham Bell in his experiments (1854-1934)
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
at the time that
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I am exceedingly sorry then," replied Emma; "but no doubt Lady Gordon will readily give it up if you wish it."
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Emma was not present when Lady Gordon made known her wishes on the subject of acting to her husband; but in the dusk of the evening, as she was sitting in the conservatory, she became aware, by a conversation she had with Sir William Gordon, that the request had been made.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "You seem to regret her complaisance, Sir William; would you prefer having to reproach and quarrel with her?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He came to her, and placing himself on a low stool at her feet, he began by telling her, in an under tone, "I wish you had not put that idea into Rosa's head, Miss Watson, about acting: I don't like it at all."
