used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
(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 After all, he need not have hurried.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
disengagedverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “disengage” — release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Will you go up?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Miss Eve is in the music-room playing, I think, sir.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
engage in
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
music-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Miss Eve is in the music-room playing, I think, sir.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After all, he need not have hurried.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
Phelps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading "Miss Eve is in the music-room playing, I think, sir.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Miss Eve is in the music-room playing, I think, sir.
suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
Sylvester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Will you go up?"
on a floor above
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Sylvester was out, he was told by the butler, who proceeded to suggest, with the freedom of an old friend, that he should make his way upstairs and find Miss Eve.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, I think I will, Phelps," he said, after a moment's hesitation, "if she is disengaged."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Will you go up?"
