used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
abnormaladjectiveUS /æbˈnɔːrməl/
not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
(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 To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
coloniesnounUS /ˈkɑːləniz/
plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
credibleadjectiveUS /ˈkredəbəl/
capable of being believed
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
defectiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfektɪv/
having a defect
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
doubtingadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/
marked by or given to doubt
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
favoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
girlhoodnounUS /ˈɡɜːrlhʊd/
the childhood of a girl
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
lawlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːləs/
without law or control
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
likings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
engage in
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
the force of workers available
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
absolutely essential
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
OverbearingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈberɪŋ/
expecting unquestioning obedience
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
slacknessnounUS /ˈslæknəs/
weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
express in words
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
unworthyadjectiveUS /ənˈwɜːrði/
lacking in value or merit
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
precisely as stated
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Overbearing where her likings were concerned, and full of a certain generosity where but her interests were in question, the slackness of the social bonds in the colonies had favoured her abnormal development.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She had had a very defective education, and what there was of it was all for show.
in or at the place that
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
Wylder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make all this quite credible to a doubting reader, it would be necessary to tell Mrs. Wylder's history from girlhood.
a late time of life
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
but in spite of that
From this reading She indeed was not a good woman, but she was capable of being made worse; and in the bush, where she passed years not a few, and in cities afterward, she met women and men more lawless yet than herself or her husband.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then she was married far too young, and to a man unworthy of any good woman.
