dynamic
toggle menu
menu
vocabulary
1000+ books

alacrity
in a sentence

show 185 more with this conextual meaning
  • "All right," Beauty Smith spoke up with the alacrity of fear.   (source)
    alacrity = liveliness
  • He had a uniform jacket with one button off, and seeing a white man on the path, hoisted his weapon to his shoulder with alacrity.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness (liveliness and eagerness)
  • And then a number of brisk young men began with remarkable alacrity to tidy up the goods that remained disturbed.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • Victor Lebrun ... accepted with alacrity.   (source)
    alacrity = eagerness
  • The painful thing observable about all this business was the alacrity with which this oppressed community had turned their cruel hands against their own class in the interest of the common oppressor.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • The passengers granted the request with alacrity, and straightway disappeared on the platform.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness
  • "Won't I!" said Laurie, with alacrity.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • "I willingly obey the orders of my Chief," said The Vengeance with alacrity, and kissing her cheek.   (source)
  • ...while Miss Ophelia piled and sorted dishes, emptied dozens of scattering bowls of sugar into one receptacle, sorted napkins, table-cloths, and towels, for washing; washing, wiping, and arranging with her own hands, and with a speed and alacrity which perfectly amazed Dinah.   (source)
  • Yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness (eagerness)
  • I proceeded in my electrical experiments with great alacrity;   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • Wiping the blade on the towel at his waist, he then leaned over the Count's left upper cheek, and shaved it with equal alacrity.†   (source)
  • It was they who monetized TruYou, who found ways to reap funds from all of Ty's innovations, and it was they who grew the company into the force that subsumed Facebook, Twitter, Google, and finally Alacrity, Zoopa, Jefe and Quan.†   (source)
  • "That must be Eli Harris," Matron said, sliding down in the passenger seat with an alacrity that surprised Ghosh.†   (source)
  • Johnnie responded with alacrity, not aware of having either risen or fallen in her companion's estimation.†   (source)
  • The Hessians and our Highlanders gave no quarters [the letter read], and it was a fine thing to see with what alacrity they dispatched the rebels with their bayonets after we had surrendered them so that they could not resist....You know all stratagems are lawful in war, especially against such vile enemies to their King and country.†   (source)
  • Yes, sighed Tomas's son with an alacrity Tomas may have missed.†   (source)
  • The harried young man rose on one elbow with alacrity as they approached.†   (source)
  • The knight scrambled up, edging away with such alacrity that some of the watchers laughed aloud.†   (source)
  • "He must have cut a mean minuet," she said, but called her uncle, who responded with alacrity.†   (source)
  • Only then do my ears forgive me, only then do clarity and alacrity impose themselves, a comprehension by the ear prepares me for the understanding that is to follow.†   (source)
  • It did come under my notice that some cartmen worked for whatever the sufferers felt able to pay, and one I knew worked with alacrity for nothing.†   (source)
  • Randolph Gates was summoned, and he ran into their arms with alacrity, stunning one courtroom after another with his elocutionary gymnastics.†   (source)
  • "As long as my men are willing to die for me," Strassnitzky said, "as long as they follow my orders with alacrity and do their jobs with the skill I expect of them, I don't stand on ceremony-except where people would misunderstand.†   (source)
  • Simon sat up with such alacrity that the person opposite him jerked back with a hiss.†   (source)
  • The Finns had dived into the project with alacrity.†   (source)
  • In fact, considering how I had so coveted the job in the first place, I was rather surprised at the relief, indeed the alacrity, with which I accepted my dismissal only five months later.†   (source)
  • silver and bright gold and dark gold, and almost suffocating in their fragrance; and there, almost hidden among these flowers, was the coffin, and beside it, two last strangers who, now that they had entered the room, turned away and quickly took chairs; and now a stranger man in a long, dark coat stepped towards their mother with silent alacrity, his eyes shining like dark jelly, and with a courtly gesture ushered her forward and stood proudly and humbly to one side; and there was Daddy again.†   (source)
  • Displaying a surprising amount of alacrity, strength, and flexibility, she clambered over the many rows of breastwork the dwarves had engineered, swinging from pole to pole, leaping over trenches, and finally running...   (source)
  • Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face, but alacrity in his heart.   (source)
  • "Certainly," he replied with alacrity, and stood up to put it in train for speaking.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness
  • Hendon despatched his ablutions with alacrity,   (source)
    alacrity = speed (liveliness and eagerness)
  • "Missis is a heap too good for us," said Sam, making his bow with alacrity, and departing.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • Betsey went with alacrity, proud to shew her abilities before her fine new sister.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness
  • "Not at all!" cried Miss Crawford with alacrity.   (source)
  • More than two thousand raving savages broke from the forest at the signal, and threw themselves across the fatal plain with instinctive alacrity.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • The old woman ... responded to Mrs. Henchard-Newson's request for a pennyworth with more alacrity than she had shown in selling six-pennyworths in her younger days.   (source)
  • The girl jumped up, with great alacrity; poured it quickly out, but with her back towards him; and held the vessel to his lips, while he drank off the contents.   (source)
  • Not the least among the employments of Ginger Nut, as well as one which he discharged with the most alacrity, was his duty as cake and apple purveyor for Turkey and Nippers.   (source)
  • Thomasin had been persuaded by her aunt, and by an instinctive impulse of loyalty towards her cousin Clym, to bestir herself on his account with an alacrity unusual in her during these most sorrowful days of her life.   (source)
  • "I should be most happy," replied he aloud, and jumping up with alacrity, "it would give me the greatest pleasure;"   (source)
    alacrity = quickness
  • This personage had been exerting himself, with great alacrity, in driving all the flock of domestics to the other end of the verandah.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • This was exactly what Sir Thomas and Edmund had been separately conniving at, as each proved to the other by the sympathetic alacrity with which they both advised Mrs. Norris's continuing where she was, instead of rushing out into the hall as soon as the noises of the arrival reached them.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness
  • Hitherto the providing and marketing had been principally done by Adolph, who was, to the full, as careless and extravagant as his master; and, between them both, they had carried on the dispersing process with great alacrity.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • The storm through Baron Wildenheim was the height of his theatrical ambition; and with the advantage of knowing half the scenes by heart already, he did now, with the greatest alacrity, offer his services for the part.   (source)
    alacrity = cheerful eagerness
  • Thus much was settled before Edmund, who had been out all the morning, knew anything of the matter; but when he entered the drawing-room before dinner, the buzz of discussion was high between Tom, Maria, and Mr. Yates; and Mr. Rushworth stepped forward with great alacrity to tell him the agreeable news.   (source)
  • After a couple of minutes' unbroken silence, Henry, turning to Catherine for the first time since her mother's entrance, asked her, with sudden alacrity, if Mr. and Mrs. Allen were now at Fullerton?   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • And when he dispatched Seven and Eight with even more alacrity, the twenty-fifth essay seemed as close at hand as a pitcher of water on a dining room table.†   (source)
  • One British officer happily reported, "The Hessians and our brave Highlanders gave no quarter; and it was a fine sight to see with what alacrity they dispatched the rebels with their bayonets after we had surrendered them so that they could not resist...You know all stratagems are lawful in war, especially against such vile enemies to their King and country."†   (source)
  • "Mr. Dickinson's alacrity and spirit," he told Abigail, "certainly becomes his character and sets a fine example."†   (source)
  • Ser Boros had been escorting Tommen and Lord Gyles when Ser Jacelyn Bywater and his gold cloaks had surprised them, and had yielded up his charge with an alacrity that would have enraged old Ser Barristan Selmy as much as it did Cersei; a knight of the Kingsguard was supposed to die in defense of the king and royal family.†   (source)
  • The once all-powerful, now subdued superior, who had really understood only such words as "Presidium" and "Central Committee," moved with alacrity, bringing an extension phone to Krupkin's table.†   (source)
  • None of the Bleeding Hearts ever had, it was clear from the alacrity of their response.†   (source)
  • It was opened by the usual maid-servant, and she showed him up at once, with her usual alacrity, to Flora's sitting-room.†   (source)
  • He put away the box without a trace of alacrity.†   (source)
  • There was alacrity in Aunt Bertha's voice.†   (source)
  • I will sign with a sharp gesture to a cab whose driver will signify by some indescribable alacrity his understanding of my signals.†   (source)
  • Tiny Duffy wasn't exactly in the way, but he didn't give back fully enough or perhaps with enough alacrity.†   (source)
  • Schloime, who held them in his lap, had risen with alacrity as he approached and proffered them to him.†   (source)
  • Leo hopped up with alacrity.†   (source)
  • Next morning he readily answered Pilchuck's call, but his body was incapable of a like alacrity.†   (source)
  • "I'll go and see to it at once, sir," he said with alacrity, and with less frigidity in his manner.†   (source)
  • "Yes, sir," he answered, with cheerful alacrity.†   (source)
  • He laughed while narrating this part at the recollection of his polite alacrity.†   (source)
  • "Certainly," said Jude with alacrity, the case being unexpectedly altered.†   (source)
  • Immediately he had finished tea he rose with alacrity to go out.†   (source)
  • His mottled face was apprehensive, and he moved with a sort of reluctant alacrity.†   (source)
  • Anson and Moze did the rest of the work, without alacrity.†   (source)
  • He hung his hat on a peg and flung himself into his seat with business-like alacrity.†   (source)
  • It was this alacrity, this haste to be gone, which so sickened Mrs. Morel.†   (source)
  • Or you'll throw it out, huh?" queried Jett, rising with alacrity.†   (source)
  • '"Tuan?" said Tamb' Itam, advancing with alacrity.†   (source)
  • He was overjoyed to see us and dismounted with great alacrity.†   (source)
  • "I'll go with you," said Mr. Brooke, starting up with alacrity.†   (source)
  • "What would you have of me, damsels?" he asked, with alacrity.†   (source)
  • They promised implicit obedience, and departed with alacrity on their different errands.†   (source)
  • 'He turns you adrift on the world with surprising alacrity.'†   (source)
  • Mr. Knightley returned to his reading with greater alacrity.†   (source)
  • Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her invitation was accepted with alacrity.†   (source)
  • It had been taken up with the careless alacrity of an adventurer, who had his bread to earn.†   (source)
  • The boy, who clearly had had too much of a good thing, marched away into the shadows with alacrity.†   (source)
  • 'By all means,' observed Mr. Bumble, with great alacrity.†   (source)
  • I rose with all alacrity, to acquit myself of this commission.†   (source)
  • "Oscar," he called to a boy seated at the head of the bell-boy bench, to which a tallish, rather oversized youth in a tight, neat-looking uniform responded with alacrity.†   (source)
  • The old du Lac aunts at Rhinebeck had put their house at the disposal of the bridal couple, with a readiness inspired by the prospect of spending a week in New York with Mrs. Archer; and Archer, glad to escape the usual "bridal suite" in a Philadelphia or Baltimore hotel, had accepted with an equal alacrity.†   (source)
  • Then she whipped the mustang across the flank with her bridle rein, which punishment caused Spillbeans meekly to trot on with alacrity.†   (source)
  • The cowboys obeyed with alacrity.†   (source)
  • Shefford complied with alacrity and found the water cool and sweet, and he seemed to feel it all through him.†   (source)
  • Moze shuffled out with alacrity.†   (source)
  • She asked Herr Sung if he would not come and sit at her end, and he with his unfailing politeness accepted with alacrity.†   (source)
  • Rogojin, too, seemed to have taken up the conversation with unusual alacrity it appeared that he was still in a considerable state of excitement, if not absolutely feverish, and was in real need of someone to talk to for the mere sake of talking, as safety-valve to his agitation.†   (source)
  • But the advocate of freedom in marriage was as much disappointed as a drooping bride at the alacrity with which he took that freedom and escaped to the world of men's affairs.†   (source)
  • In the night he was long getting to sleep because of too much thinking, and in the morning he was early awake, seizing with alacrity upon the same dear subject and pursuing it with vigor.†   (source)
  • Hereupon the outlaws did not show any laziness in their alacrity to cover Bill's money as it lay on the grass.†   (source)
  • He must have seen or heard Shefford coming, for he rose with unwonted alacrity, and he kicked the smoldering logs into a flickering blaze.†   (source)
  • The quadroon was following them with little quick steps, having assumed a fictitious animation and alacrity for the occasion.†   (source)
  • It's very rough,' said Athelny, but he gave it to Philip with an alacrity which suggested that he was eager for him to read it.†   (source)
  • "Which way?" asked Jude with alacrity.†   (source)
  • All feuds and grudges were forgotten, and I was surprised at the alacrity with which the men who had so long endured his brutality sprang to execute his orders.†   (source)
  • For the cabin's proprietor there was nothing left but to play the part of the enforced host with whatever grace and alacrity were practicable.†   (source)
  • There seemed so much gusto in the way he puffed and swilled as he washed himself, so much alacrity with which he hurried to the mirror in the kitchen, and, bending because it was too low for him, scrupulously parted his wet black hair, that it irritated Mrs. Morel.†   (source)
  • He dismounted to examine it, and John, coming up, proceeded with alacrity to get off and do likewise.†   (source)
  • "Dunn outfit—hide-hunters," he announced, with something of alarmed alacrity, as if his identity and business had been questioned.†   (source)
  • Philip stared at her in surprise, for the one thing she could be counted upon to do with alacrity was to give advice.†   (source)
  • Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity.†   (source)
  • I see genuine contentment in your gait and mien, your eye and face, when you are helping me and pleasing me — working for me, and with me, in, as you characteristically say, 'ALL THAT IS RIGHT:' for if I bid you do what you thought wrong, there would be no light-footed running, no neat-handed alacrity, no lively glance and animated complexion.†   (source)
  • Some of the boys about me put in their claim not to be forgotten in the distribution of the good things, as I got out of my seat with great alacrity.†   (source)
  • Mabel sprang up on the shore with a delight which she did not care to express; and her father led his men after her with an alacrity which proved how wearied he had become of the cutter.†   (source)
  • The officer sprang out of the apartment with that alacrity which all the servants of the cardinal displayed in obeying him.†   (source)
  • Much to my surprise, Captain Nemo gave me the permission I asked for, and he did so with grace and alacrity, not even exacting my promise to return on board.†   (source)
  • "You can set your mind quite at rest on that score, Dmitri Fyodorovitch," the prosecutor answered at once, with evident alacrity.†   (source)
  • Whenever such a mischance occurred—when a waggon-load of valuable merchandise had been smuggled ashore, at noonday, perhaps, and directly beneath their unsuspicious noses—nothing could exceed the vigilance and alacrity with which they proceeded to lock, and double-lock, and secure with tape and sealing-wax, all the avenues of the delinquent vessel.†   (source)
  • The young man complied with an alacrity that manifested how gladly he would see the rounded, active figure of Ellen, enlivening the ragged summit of the rock.†   (source)
  • Yet the excellent dog accepted Tom's attention with as much alacrity as if he had been treated quite generously.†   (source)
  • It's beneath you, I know; but I thought that perhaps you might—' 'Might!' cried Nicholas, with great alacrity; 'of course I shall.†   (source)
  • That very day the miners began their labors, with a vigor and alacrity proportionate to their long rest from fatigue and their hopes of ultimate success.†   (source)
  • Emma was rather in dismay when only half a minute afterwards he began to speak of other things, and in a voice of the greatest alacrity and enjoyment.†   (source)
  • and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an acquaintance already.†   (source)
  • She was eager not to lose this evening's opportunity; and after tea, when the boys were going into the garden and Totty begged to go with them, Hetty said, with an alacrity that surprised Mrs. Poyser, "I'll go with her, Aunt."†   (source)
  • Amelia had risen very early in the morning, and packed her little trunks with the greatest alacrity, while Osborne lay in bed deploring that she had not a maid to help her.†   (source)
  • Nevertheless he had offered her a home under his own roof, which Lavinia accepted with the alacrity of a woman who had spent the ten years of her married life in the town of Poughkeepsie.†   (source)
  • "Such things run in families," observed Richard, rising with alacrity to render the desired assistance.†   (source)
  • It was a slender young man, not more than one or two and twenty years old, with rather a grave and thoughtful expression for his years, but likewise a springy alacrity and vigor.†   (source)
  • As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the whole party, by giving them a new direction, while it was likely to produce no unpleasant results, every one was willing to enter into it; the girls bringing forth the firearms with an alacrity bordering on cheerfulness.†   (source)
  • She invited Ralph Touchett to take a walk with her in the garden, and when he had assented with that alacrity which seemed constantly to testify to his high expectations, she informed him that she had a favour to ask of him.†   (source)
  • As it is, we are reduced to ask services of knights and squires, who do not seem to offer them with great alacrity.†   (source)
  • The messenger obeyed without the least hesitation, but rather with alacrity, and, mounting the steps at a bound, entered the hotel; five seconds afterwards he was at the door of the room.†   (source)
  • She listened to college stories with deep interest, caressed pointers and poodles without a murmur, agreed heartily that "Tom Brown was a brick," regardless of the improper form of praise, and when one lad proposed a visit to his turtle tank, she went with an alacrity which caused Mamma to smile upon her, as that motherly lady settled the cap which was left in a ruinous condition by filial hugs, bearlike but affectionate, and dearer to her than the most faultless coiffure from the hands of an inspired Frenchwoman.†   (source)
  • Though these several movements were made amid outcries, and a clamour, that likened the place to another Babel, they were executed with incredible alacrity and intelligence.†   (source)
  • He frequently offered him a glass of whiskey or pale ale in the steamer bar-room, which Passepartout never failed to accept with graceful alacrity, mentally pronouncing Fix the best of good fellows.†   (source)
  • Becky and the ladies parted with some alacrity, however, and our friend returned to London to commence those avocations with which we find her occupied when this chapter begins.†   (source)
  • One morning when her uncle paid his usual visit, though with an unusual alacrity in his manner which he accounted for by saying that it was now pretty certain Parliament would be dissolved forthwith, Dorothea said— "Uncle, it is right now that I should consider who is to have the living at Lowick.†   (source)
  • The Frenchman continued to move about the room with great alacrity for a few minutes, repeating his exclamations to himself; when overcome by the contrary nature of his emotions, he suddenly burst out of the house, and was seen wading through the snow toward his little shop, waving his arms on high, as if to pluck down honor from the moon.†   (source)
  • I say, undo the postern—thou shalt know more anon." With hasty alacrity Gurth obeyed him, while Wamba and the Jew followed, both wondering at the sudden change in the swineherd's demeanour.†   (source)
  • There could be only the most proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture.†   (source)
  • The plated buttons disappeared with an alacrity most unusual to them, and Nicholas paced the room in a state of feverish agitation which made the delay even of a minute insupportable.†   (source)
  • But he was not for a single instant the dupe of her blundering alacrity; he knew that of what she promised she was competent to perform but an insignificant fraction, and the more she professed her willingness to serve him, the greater fool he thought her.†   (source)
  • A white apron is a suspicious vesture in situations where spotlessness is difficult; moreover, the industry and cleanliness which the white apron expressed were belied by the postures and gaits of the women who wore it—their knuckles being mostly on their hips (an attitude which lent them the aspect of two-handled mugs), and their shoulders against door-posts; while there was a curious alacrity in the turn of each honest woman's head upon her neck and in the twirl of her honest eyes, at any noise resembling a masculine footfall along the lane.†   (source)
  • The alacrity with which Charley brought my bonnet and veil, and having dressed me, quaintly pinned herself into her warm shawl and made herself look like a little old woman, sufficiently expressed her readiness.†   (source)
  • Miss Bingley moved with some alacrity to the pianoforte; and, after a polite request that Elizabeth would lead the way which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she seated herself.†   (source)
  • He however disdained to speak, or to give any other evidence of his intentions than by calling to his side the distant band, who sprang forward at his beck, with the alacrity of willing subordinates.†   (source)
  • When Ney dashed upon the advance of the allied troops, carrying one position after the other, until the arrival of the great body of the British army from Brussels changed the aspect of the combat of Quatre Bras, the squadrons among which Regulus rode showed the greatest activity in retreating before the French, and were dislodged from one post and another which they occupied with perfect alacrity on their part.†   (source)
  • Yet, considering his own interest in the matter, he might have bestirred himself with a little more alacrity.†   (source)
  • They were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being kept at home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship which had been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with great alacrity—"She was engaged to spend the evening with an old schoolfellow."†   (source)
  • Then getting upon the animal with more alacrity and haste than could have been anticipated from his years, he lost no time in so disposing of the skirts of his gabardine as to conceal completely from observation the burden which he had thus deposited "en croupe".†   (source)
  • Mr. Brownlow merely nodded to Mr. Grimwig, who disappearing with great alacrity, shortly returned, pushing in Mrs. Bumble, and dragging her unwilling consort after him.†   (source)
  • Mrs. Tulliver was an amiable fish of this kind, and after running her head against the same resisting medium for thirteen years would go at it again to-day with undulled alacrity.†   (source)
  • The good gentleman felt the delicacy and dexterity of the touch, and at once proposed the health of the gentleman, name unknown, who had signalised himself, that night, by his coolness and alacrity.†   (source)
  • With an alacrity beyond the common impulse of a spirit which yet was never indifferent to the credit of doing every thing well and attentively, with the real good-will of a mind delighted with its own ideas, did she then do all the honours of the meal, and help and recommend the minced chicken and scalloped oysters, with an urgency which she knew would be acceptable to the early hours and civil scruples of their guests.†   (source)
  • But when it came to be understood, on the highest professional authority, that the event was a natural, and—except for some unimportant particulars, denoting a slight idiosyncrasy—by no means an unusual form of death, the public, with its customary alacrity, proceeded to forget that he had ever lived.†   (source)
  • But at least they had Dutch cleanliness, which makes all other inconveniences tolerable; and the boat cushions were spread into a couch for Maggie on the poop with all alacrity.†   (source)
  • The page with the sugar-loaf buttons, who carried about Becky's pink notes, and jumped about her little carriage with such alacrity, was now engaged putting his fingers into a cream dish; the footman was talking to Raggles, who had a face full of perplexity and woe—and yet, though the door was open, and Becky had been screaming a half-dozen of times a few feet off, not one of her attendants had obeyed her call.†   (source)
  • Notwithstanding the old man appeared so conscious of the difficulty of the undertaking, he set about its achievement with great steadiness and alacrity.†   (source)
  • The old gentleman got out, with great alacrity, when they reached the Bank, and once more taking Nicholas by the arm, hurried him along Threadneedle Street, and through some lanes and passages on the right, until they, at length, emerged in a quiet shady little square.†   (source)
  • Mrs Smith's enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income, with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity.†   (source)
  • Her mother stepped forwards, embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand, with an affectionate smile, to Wickham, who followed his lady; and wished them both joy with an alacrity which shewed no doubt of their happiness.†   (source)
  • This done, Noggs limped away with great alacrity; looking over his shoulder every instant, to make quite certain that Nicholas was obeying his directions; and, ascending the steps of a house some half-dozen doors off, was lost to view.†   (source)
  • Certainly not Furley, for Mr. Tulliver had determined that Furley should meet his plans with the utmost alacrity; and there are men whoses brains have not yet been dangerously heated by the loss of a lawsuit, who are apt to see in their own interest or desires a motive for other men's actions.†   (source)
  • He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear.†   (source)
  • The coachman, who grumbled that his 'osses should be brought out and his carriage made into an hospital for that old feller and Mrs. O., drove her with the utmost alacrity now, and trembling lest he should be superseded by Mr. Osborne's coachman, asked "what them there Russell Square coachmen knew about town, and whether they was fit to sit on a box before a lady?"†   (source)
  • With the dessert there came entire deliverance for Maggie, for the children were told they might have their nuts and wine in the summer-house, since the day was so mild; and they scampered out among the budding bushes of the garden with the alacrity of small animals getting from under a burning glass.†   (source)
  • Newman did not look the less distressed to hear Nicholas talking in this strain; but, upon his young friend grasping him heartily by the hand, and assuring him that nothing but implicit confidence in the sincerity of his professions, and kindness of feeling towards himself, would have induced him, on any consideration, even to have made him acquainted with his arrival in London, Mr Noggs brightened up again, and went about making such arrangements as were in his power for the comfort of his visitors, with extreme alacrity.†   (source)
  • Nicholas, therefore, not being a high-spirited young man according to common parlance, and deeming it a greater degradation to borrow, for the supply of his necessities, from Newman Noggs, than to teach French to the little Kenwigses for five shillings a week, accepted the offer with the alacrity already described, and betook himself to the first floor with all convenient speed.†   (source)
  • So far from walking up, the gentlemen on the stairs began to walk down with great alacrity, and to entreat, with extraordinary politeness, that the gentlemen nearest the street would go first; the gentlemen nearest the street retorted, with equal courtesy, that they couldn't think of such a thing on any account; but they did it, without thinking of it, inasmuch as the other gentlemen pressing some half-dozen (among whom was Nicholas†   (source)
  • He had scarcely done so, and Mr Mantalini had not yet gathered it all up, when a ring was heard at the bell, and immediately afterwards Newman ushered in no less a person than Madame Mantalini, at sight of whom Mr Mantalini evinced considerable discomposure, and swept the cash into his pocket with remarkable alacrity.†   (source)
  • This conviction, though not entirely satisfactory, gave her pleasure, and she continued her letter with greater alacrity.†   (source)
  • Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a filigree basket for a spoilt child.†   (source)
  • A natural and prompt alacrity I find in hardness;   (source)
    alacrity = rising to the occasion (liveliness and eagerness)
  • I have not that alacrity of spirit
    Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • I have a kind of alacrity in sinking;   (source)
    alacrity = an eagerness to do something
  • ...if I had then known the nature of princes and ministers, which I have since observed in many other courts, and their methods of treating criminals less obnoxious than myself, I should, with great alacrity and readiness, have submitted to so easy a punishment.   (source)
    alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
  • ...and then in glad silence and with cheerful alacrity each of our stout rowers took his oar, and commending ourselves to God with all our hearts, we began to shape our course for the island of Majorca, the nearest Christian land.   (source)
  • I've a bit of—" I didn't wait for the conclusion of her invitation, but leapt to my feet with alacrity.†   (source)
  • I was invited to go on one of these fruit-picking expeditions with several of the young women of the castle, and accepted with alacrity, eager to get out from under the forbidding shadow of the stone walls.†   (source)
  • —With the greatest alacrity, miss Douce agreed.†   (source)
  • With grace of alacrity towards the mirror gilt Cantrell and Cochrane's she turned herself.†   (source)
  • Lager without alacrity she served.†   (source)
  • Alacrity she served.†   (source)
  • He ceased; and Satan stayed not to reply,
    But, glad that now his sea should find a shore,
    With fresh alacrity and force renewed
    Springs upward, like a pyramid of fire,
    Into the wild expanse, and through the shock
    Of fighting elements, on all sides round
    Environed, wins his way; harder beset
    And more endangered than when Argo passed
    Through Bosporus betwixt the justling rocks,
    Or when Ulysses on the larboard shunned
    Charybdis, and by th' other whirlpool steered.†   (source)
  • The assiduous merchant, the laborious husbandman, the active mechanic, and the industrious manufacturer,—all orders of men, look forward with eager expectation and growing alacrity to this pleasing reward of their toils.†   (source)
  • As my gentleman therefore entertained his neighbours with great hospitality, so his neighbours resorted to him with great alacrity; and sports and drinking consumed so much of his time, that a small part of his conversation, that is to say, of his ill-humours, fell to my share.†   (source)
  • They had seen in the origin and progress of the experiment, the alacrity with which the PROPOSITION, made by a single State (Virginia), towards a partial amendment of the Confederation, had been attended to and promoted.†   (source)
  • Upon this the poor fellow immediately expressed so much alacrity, that Jones was perfectly satisfied with his veracity, and began now to entertain sentiments of compassion for him.†   (source)
  • Sancho did so with great alacrity, and though the valise was secured by a chain and padlock, from its torn and rotten condition he was able to see its contents, which were four shirts of fine holland, and other articles of linen no less curious than clean; and in a handkerchief he found a good lot of gold crowns, and as soon as he saw them he exclaimed: "Blessed be all Heaven for sending us an adventure that is good for something!"†   (source)
  • The hounds ran very hard, as it is called, and the squire pursued over hedge and ditch, with all his usual vociferation and alacrity, and with all his usual pleasure; nor did the thoughts of Sophia ever once intrude themselves to allay the satisfaction he enjoyed in the chace, which, he said, was one of the finest he ever saw, and which he swore was very well worth going fifty miles for.†   (source)
▲ show less (of above)