used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
admirablyadverbUS /ˈædmərəbli/
in an admirable manner
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
AmbrosenounUS /ˈæmbroʊz/
(Roman Catholic Church) Roman priest who became bishop of Milan
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
Appleford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
AustinnounUS /ˈɔːstən/
state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
docileadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːsəl/
willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far, so well; but still Mr. Austin Ambrose was uncomfortable.
a boy or man
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
set up or found
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
governverbUS /ˈɡʌvərn/
bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
not accessible to view
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
Lottie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
held dear
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
engage in
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
joined in matrimony
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
obedientadjectiveUS /oʊˈbiːdiənt/
dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
pipingnounUS /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
puppetnounUS /ˈpʌpət/
a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
puppetsnounUS /ˈpʌpəts/
plural of “puppet” — a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far, so well; but still Mr. Austin Ambrose was uncomfortable.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
not in physical motion
From this reading So far, so well; but still Mr. Austin Ambrose was uncomfortable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had got Lord Blair and Margaret secretly married, he had hidden them away at Appleford; his puppet Lottie had played her part really quite admirably, and Margaret was fully convinced that she had been betrayed and ruined by the man she loved.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
a special situation
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose had up to the present found his puppets quite docile and obedient to the pulling of the wires.
precisely as stated
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Austin Ambrose was spending an extremely unpleasant evening.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading So far, so well; but still Mr. Austin Ambrose was uncomfortable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
wire-pullernoun
one who uses secret influence (i.e. pulls wires or strings) for his own ends
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It sounds as if it would be a very nice thing to play with one's fellow creatures as if they were puppets--to pull the wires which govern their actions, and to make them dance to one's piping; but the wire-puller has sometimes a very uncomfortable time of it.
