used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
Allison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
Allison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
the two together, not just one
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The brother magnate came, and Mr. Forrest did not.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The brother magnate came, and Mr. Forrest did not.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
conditionedadjectiveUS /kənˈdɪʃənd/
established by conditioning or learning
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The brother magnate came, and Mr. Forrest did not.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
Elmendorf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
FlorencenounUS /ˈflɔːrəns/
a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
Forrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
to a considerable degree
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's 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 The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
magnatenounUS /ˈmæɡnət/
a very wealthy or powerful businessman
From this reading The brother magnate came, and Mr. Forrest did not.
a person who carries a message
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
not any; not one
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
a brief written record
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
on one occasion
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dinner at Allison's the night of his return from the long journey was not a success.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was to be an entirely informal affair,--no guests present but a high official of the road in which the host was so heavily interested, and Mr. Forrest, whom Miss Allison had invited on her own account.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Elmendorf came hurrying in and went up to his room about half-past six, and fifteen minutes later came a messenger with a note which was taken at once to Miss Allison's room.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading True, his acceptance had been conditioned on his being able to finish certain papers, which, so he told both Florence and her father, would be required at the office early the next day.
