used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
(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 I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
eagerly desirous
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
BURGUNDYnounUS /ˈbɜːrɡəndi/
a former province of eastern France that is famous for its wines
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
obtain
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
come to pass
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
not in action or at work
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
and nothing more
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
come together
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
not any; not one
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
by chance
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading The lady's personal preference would cut no figure in the choosing of a husband.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
RHINEnounUS /raɪn/
United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
express in words
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
Twonette's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hoped that by some happy turn of fortune--perhaps through Twonette's help--Max might be brought to meet Mary of Burgundy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DOWN THE RHINE TO BURGUNDY Notwithstanding the idle, happy life we were leading, I was anxious to begin our journey to Burgundy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
at the time that
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading I had all faith in his ability to please her, or any woman, but what advantage he could gain by winning her regard I could not guess.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Just what would--or could--happen when we should reach that land of promise--perhaps I should say of no promise--I did not know.
