used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading He had never seen her so beautiful.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Was it the contrast or the long separation?
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
put on clothes
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had never seen her so beautiful.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it the contrast or the long separation?
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
immediately past
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
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 Was it the contrast or the long separation?
LoversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Lovers, Yet Strangers.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
come together
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had never seen her so beautiful.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Was it the contrast or the long separation?
accept an excuse for
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
reception-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
separationnounUS /ˌsepərˈeɪʃən/
the state of lacking unity
From this reading Was it the contrast or the long separation?
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
simply-furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had never seen her so beautiful.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Lovers, Yet Strangers.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was it the contrast or the long separation?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Five months had passed since Alison had seen Jane for the last time, in the elegant reception-room of her father's house, in an elegant toilet; now the tall figure came to meet him in a dark mourning dress, in the centre of the old-fashioned, simply-furnished apartment, which here served as the reception-room.
but in spite of that
From this reading Lovers, Yet Strangers.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Pardon me, Miss Forest, for coming to visit you on my travels.
