used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
(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 Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
clientnounUS /ˈklaɪənt/
a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
the act of departing
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
of great significance or value
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
realising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
revertedverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
with low volume
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
not in physical motion
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
carry out
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
(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 Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
