used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
BankersnounUS /ˈbæŋkərz/
plural of “banker” — a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
ConventionnounUS /kənˈvenʃən/
a large formal assembly
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
directorsnounUS /dərˈektərz/
plural of “director” — someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
one or the other of two
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
a social unit living together
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
set up or found
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
come to pass
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
prematurelyadverbUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊrli/
(of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
removingverbUS /riˈmuːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
SequinnounUS /ˈsiːkwən/
adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
and nothing more
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no particular lack of interest on either side, it was simply that their hours did not happen to fit.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Mr. Sequin was a thin, stooped man, prematurely old at fifty.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
tournamentnounUS /ˈtʊrnəmənt/
a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When he was not at his club, she was at hers; when she was dining at home, he was detained at a directors' meeting; when he went North to a Bankers' Convention, she went South to attend a bridge tournament.
at the time that
From this reading It was always an occasion of significance when Mr. and Mrs. Basil Sequin found time in their busy lives to discuss a family matter.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading So it was small wonder the butler, removing the breakfast things, should have looked puzzled when Mr. and Mrs. Sequin remained at table in earnest conversation.
