used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
have
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
Castleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
DownsidenounUS /ˈdaʊnsaɪd/
a negative aspect of something that is generally positive
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
insistsverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪsts/
third-person singular of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
the act of departing
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
and nothing more
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
pinchedadjectiveUS /pɪntʃt/
sounding as if the nose were pinched
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
pooreradjectiveUS /ˈpuːrər/
comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
not used up
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
supportsnounUS /səˈpɔːrts/
plural of “support” — the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I suspect that had such a misfortune happened to us, we should have broken down completely."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
(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 We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
which person or people
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You see we know in whom we trust, and He supports us," remarked Miss Mary.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We have dismissed our servants with the exception of our faithful attendant, Susan, who insists on remaining, and though we may be occasionally pinched, it is only what our poorer neighbours constantly are, and we should be ashamed not to bear it as well as they do."
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading "My good cousins, you are indeed wonderful women," exclaimed Lady Castleton.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We are much obliged to you for your sympathy," answered Miss Jane, "but we do not contemplate leaving Downside for the present.
