used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
actorsnounUS /ˈæktərz/
plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
(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 The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
from appearances alone
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
BarbariansnounUS /bɑːrˈberiənz/
plural of “barbarian” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
battlementsnounUS /ˈbætəlmənts/
plural of “battlement” — a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
DorisnounUS /ˈdɔːrəs/
(Greek mythology) wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
Dunstable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
Dunstable's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
one or the other of two
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
extricateverbUS /ˈekstrəkeɪt/
release from entanglement of difficulty
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
fortifiedadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrtəfaɪd/
secured with bastions or fortifications
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
hawk's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
go away from a place
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
something that is lost
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
LukenounUS /luːk/
(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
MeadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
in the direction of
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
Under-Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Luke and the Under-Secretary had paused in the drive.
unequaladjectiveUS /əˈniːkwəl/
poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
From this reading Nothing could apparently have been more unequal than the two chief actors in it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
someone who visits
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Their looks as they watched Lady Dunstable's progress showed that they guessed at something dramatic in the little scene.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
which person or people
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The two ladies advanced towards each other across the lawn, while Meadows followed his wife in speechless confusion and annoyance, utterly at a loss how to extricate either himself or Doris; compelled, indeed, to leave it all to her.
wiryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪri/
lean and sinewy
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lady Dunstable, with the battlements of "the great fortified post" rising behind her, tall and wiry of figure, her black hawk's eyes fixed upon her visitor, might have stood for all her class; for those too powerful and prosperous Barbarians who have ruled and enjoyed England so long.
