used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
charminglyadverbUS /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋli/
in a charming manner
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
christeningnounUS /ˈkrɪsənɪŋ/
giving a Christian name at baptism
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
deceasednounUS /dɪˈsiːst/
someone who is no longer alive
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
embarrassmentsnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənts/
plural of “embarrassment” — the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/
past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
Gissing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
godmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
destroyed or killed
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
not one, and not any
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
by chance
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
PoodlenounUS /ˈpuːdəl/
an intelligent dog with a heavy curly solid-colored coat that is usually clipped; an old breed sometimes trained as sporting dogs or as performing dogs
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
ritenounUS /raɪt/
an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
sister-in-lawnounUS /ˈsɪstərɪnlɔː/
the sister of your spouse
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
SpanielnounUS /ˈspænjəl/
any of several breeds of small to medium-sized gun dogs with a long silky coat and long frilled ears
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
be standing; be upright
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
symbolicaladjective
relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading She, a simple kindly creature, was much flattered, though certainly she can have understood very little of the symbolical rite.
precisely as stated
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was partly due to the christening service, perhaps, which had gone off very charmingly.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gissing, filling out the form that Mr. Poodle had given him, had put down the names of an entirely imaginary brother and sister-in-law of his, “deceased,” whom he asserted as the parents.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It had not been without its embarrassments.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading None of the neighbouring ladies would stand as godmother, for they were secretly dubious as to the children's origin; so he had asked good Mrs. Spaniel to act in that capacity.
