used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
admittancenounUS /ədˈmɪtəns/
the right to enter
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
subject to appointment
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
for the reason that
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
Bessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
caretakersnounUS /ˈkerteɪkərz/
plural of “caretaker” — a custodian who is hired to take care of something (property or a person)
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
custodiannounUS /kəˈstoʊdiən/
one having charge of buildings or grounds or animals
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
well in the past; former
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
DrakenounUS /dreɪk/
English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
efficientlyadverbUS /ɪˈfɪʃəntli/
with efficiency; in an efficient manner
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
communicated in words
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
a social unit living together
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
holdernounUS /ˈhoʊldər/
a holding device
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
Kezia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
held or filled or in use
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
PLOUGHINGnoun
tilling the land with a plow
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
seasidenounUS /ˈsiːsaɪd/
the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
and nothing more
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
unfriendlyadjectiveUS /ənˈfrendli/
not easy to understand or use
From this reading He was not refused admittance, as that might have looked like an unfriendly act; his presence was simply ignored.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
at the time that
From this reading PLOUGHING THE GROUND Kezia had locked up the house and given to Bessie possession of the keys; because she had always been left in charge when the family departed to the seaside, having received her commission as holder of the keys from Captain Drake himself in the days when she was growing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So when George called at his own house, which was occupied by caretakers he had not appointed, the doors were locked against him.
which person or people
From this reading Now there was a husband in command, and one who held decided views regarding property.
willingnessnounUS /ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/
cheerful compliance
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Robert expressed his willingness to undertake the duties of custodian; but, in order that the work might be performed efficiently, he proposed to Bessie that they should close their own cottage and retire into luxurious residence across the road.
