used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
the state of being absent
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was too occupied to be troubled with introspection.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
chewedverbUS /tʃuːd/
past form of “chew” — chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
coaxingadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊksɪŋ/
pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
put on clothes
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
a social unit living together
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
Gissing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
introspectionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈspekʃən/
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
From this reading He was too occupied to be troubled with introspection.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
naiveadjectiveUS /ˌnaɪˈiːv/
marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
nicetiesnounUS /ˈnaɪsɪtiz/
plural of “nicety” — conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
held or filled or in use
From this reading He was too occupied to be troubled with introspection.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
satisfyingadjectiveUS /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/
providing abundant nourishment
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading But he felt a satisfying dignity and happiness in his new status as head of a family.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
required or under orders
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
in or at that place or location
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was too occupied to be troubled with introspection.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading He was too occupied to be troubled with introspection.
versednounUS /vɜːrst/
an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
precisely as stated
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
wardrobenounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊb/
a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This implied (he supposed, though he was not closely versed in such niceties of society) that there was a Mrs. Gissing, and he was annoyed, for he felt certain they knew he was a bachelor.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
well-orderedadjective
ordered well
From this reading Indeed, his well-ordered home was very different from before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the children were a source of nothing but pride to him.
which person or people
From this reading Several of the ladies, who had ignored him hitherto, called, in his absence, and left extra cards.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They grew with astounding rapidity, ate their food without coaxing, rarely cried at night, and gave him much amusement by their naive ways.
youngstersnounUS /ˈjʌŋstərz/
plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex
From this reading In sheer mischief the youngsters got into his wardrobe and chewed off the tails of his evening dress coat.
zealousadjectiveUS /ˈzeləs/
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
From this reading The trim lawn, in spite of his zealous efforts, was constantly littered with toys.
