used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
equally
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
(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 A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
assembleverbUS /əˈsembəl/
create by putting components or members together
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
breakfast-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
a social unit living together
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
Frances's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
a social unit living together
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
insureverbUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊr/
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
not any; not one
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
one of four equal parts
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
on the contrary
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
troopedverbUS /truːpt/
past form of “troop” — march in a procession
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
in or at the place that
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
which person or people
From this reading A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people.
