used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
(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 Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
dissimilaradjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪmələr/
not similar
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the organ of sight
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
a social unit living together
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
farm-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
set up or found
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
inflictionnounUS /ˌɪnˈflɪkʃən/
the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
Lucinda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
Nathan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
something you have to do
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
many times at short intervals
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
unkindadjectiveUS /ənˈkaɪnd/
lacking kindness
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
precisely as stated
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
at the time that
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading My mother's manner was very gentle, and her speech was mild and pleasant, while my Aunt had a sharp, quick manner of speech, and took the liberty upon all occasions of speaking her mind plainly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Aunt Lucinda was not positively unkind to me, but I could not help a feeling of fear when in her presence, for she evidently regarded my every movement with a watchful eye, and looked upon my presence in the family as an infliction that must be borne; but with all this she was very careful for my comfort, and treated me in every respect as one of the family.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading During the first few days of my residence in the family I used often to wonder to myself how two sisters could be so dissimilar in every way as were my mother and Aunt Lucinda.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Before a week had passed away I made up my mind that I might have found a worse home than the old farm-house at Uncle Nathan's.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Few would, at first sight, receive a favourable impression of my aunt.
