used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
from appearances alone
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
ARRANGEMENTnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
the two together, not just one
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
conceivablyadverbUS /kənˈsiːvəbli/
within the realm of possibility
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
disreputableadjectiveUS /dɪsˈrepjətəbəl/
lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
duesnounUS /duːz/
plural of “due” — that which is deserved or owed
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
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 When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
a man of refinement
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
hostelrynoun
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
inconsiderableadjective
too small or unimportant to merit attention
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
lodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/
structures collectively in which people are housed
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
Miriam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
misunderstoodadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstʊd/
wrongly understood
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
not any; not one
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
philanthropynounUS /fɪˈlænθrəpi/
voluntary promotion of human welfare
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
pilotagenoun
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
express in words
From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
sedateadjectiveUS /sɪˈdeɪt/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
vastlyadverbUS /ˈvæstli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
precisely as stated
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
at the time that
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
