used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DESPERATE PLAN.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
(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 Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children said not a word in protest.
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
deemedverbUS /diːmd/
past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading A DESPERATE PLAN.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
fault-finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
forgivenessnounUS /fərˈɡɪvnəs/
compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
the state of being honored
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The children said not a word in protest.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
and nothing more
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
PeevishadjectiveUS /ˈpiːvɪʃ/
easily irritated or annoyed
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A DESPERATE PLAN.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading The children said not a word in protest.
the act of punishing
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The children said not a word in protest.
scrapeverbUS /skreɪp/
scratch repeatedly
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a special situation
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading THE twins eyed each other in consternation.
unheardadjectiveUS /ənˈhɜːrd/
not necessarily inaudible but not heard
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Peevish fault-finding by their father was common enough, and they had grown quite used to it, but punishment was a thing well-nigh unheard of, and they had made the sudden discovery that any fault they might commit, any scrape into which they might fall, all counted for nothing.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The only fault that was past forgiveness was a laughing word against this hobby of his, and what he deemed the honour of his house.
