used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
acolytenounUS /ˈækəlaɪt/
someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service; a cleric ordained in the highest of the minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church but not in the Anglican Church or the Eastern Orthodox Churches
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
alludedverbUS /əˈluːdɪd/
past form of “allude” — make a more or less disguised reference to
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
Aylmers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
Bletchley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
By-the-by
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
consolatoryadjective
affording comfort or solace
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
without stop or interruption
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
corvée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
dilutedadjectiveUS /daɪˈluːtəd/
reduced in strength or concentration or quality or purity
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
DowernounUS /daʊr/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
dulleradjectiveUS /ˈdʌlər/
comparative of “dull” — lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
apart from; not including
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
opinion or judgment
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
a social unit living together
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
FelicitynounUS /fɪˈlɪsəti/
pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
hostsnounUS /hoʊsts/
plural of “host” — 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 The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
innocencenounUS /ˈɪnəsəns/
the quality of innocent naivete
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
and nothing more
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
make reference to
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
misdemeanorsnounUS /ˌmɪsdəˈmiːnərz/
plural of “misdemeanor” — a crime less serious than a felony
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
Ransome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
shrugnounUS /ʃrʌɡ/
a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
Stillington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
express a supposition
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The entire innocence of purpose evident in this mention of the family alluded to proved to a relieved Miss Ransome that her late hosts had kept the secret of her misdemeanors faithfully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “By-the-by, I hear they have left the Dower House,” continued the other, carelessly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
precisely as stated
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
in or at the place that
From this reading However”--with a consolatory shrug--“it cannot well be duller than Stillington, where I suppose you literally never set eyes upon any one except the Aylmers.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Felicity was as good as her word; nor was there any delay in setting the restored acolyte to her destined labours.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I am afraid you will not find it very gay,” Lady Bletchley had said, “but what with this mourning”--glancing at the very diluted ink of her attire--“and the terrible _corvée_ of getting into the new house, I really cannot be bothered with society just now.
