admired


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ad·mire

 (ăd-mīr′)
v. ad·mired, ad·mir·ing, ad·mires
v.tr.
1. To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval: admired the sculptures at the art museum.
2. To have a high opinion of; esteem or respect: I admired her ability as a violinist.
3. Chiefly New England & Upper Southern US To enjoy (something): "I just admire to get letters, but I don't admire to answer them" (Dialect Notes).
4. Archaic To marvel or wonder at.
v.intr. New England & Upper Southern US
To marvel at something. Often used with at.

[French admirer, from Old French amirer, from Latin admīrārī, to wonder at : ad-, ad- + mīrārī, to wonder (from mīrus, wonderful; see smei- in Indo-European roots).]

ad·mir′er n.
ad·mir′ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.admired - regarded with admirationadmired - regarded with admiration    
loved - held dear; "his loved companion of many years"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
It is because I said one day at dinner that I admired to go to the Louvre.
He was not in spirits, however; he praised their house, admired its prospect, was attentive, and kind; but still he was not in spirits.
The musicians fiddled, tooted, and banged as if they enjoyed it, everybody danced who could, and those who couldn't admired their neighbors with uncommon warmth.
His idea was to practise at the Bar (he chose the Chancery side as less brutal), and get a seat for some pleasant constituency as soon as the various promises made him were carried out; meanwhile he went a great deal to the opera, and made acquaintance with a small number of charming people who admired the things that he admired.
To be brief, Jos stepped in and bought their carpets and sideboards and admired himself in the mirrors which had reflected their kind handsome faces.
Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield party.
In the old days she had dressed for her own sake to look pretty and be admired. Later on, as she got older, dress became more and more distasteful to her.
Therefore, above my years, The Law of God I read, and found it sweet; Made it my whole delight, and in it grew To such perfection that, ere yet my age Had measured twice six years, at our great Feast I went into the Temple, there to hear The teachers of our Law, and to propose What might improve my knowledge or their own, And was admired by all.
"Why, dear Maggie," she interposed, "you have always pretended that you are too fond of being admired; and now, I think, you are angry because some one ventures to admire you."
The others are very much admired too, but I believe Isabella is the handsomest."
He was delighted with every thing; admired Hartfield sufficiently for Mr.
There's a fine orchard, too, and you've always admired that high brick wall around the garden with the door in it--you've thought it was so like a story-book garden.