used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
quickly and without warning
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
(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 The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard.
blushverbUS /blʌʃ/
turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
countenancesnounUS /ˈkaʊntənənsɪz/
plural of “countenance” — the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
death of a person
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the state of being honored
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
immediately past
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
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 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
Mordaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
occasionedverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənd/
past form of “occasion” — give occasion to
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
express the need or desire for
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
only a very short time before
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
precisely as stated
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard.
at the time that
From this reading The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas.
