used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHANGE OF PLAN.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
Bessy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A CHANGE OF PLAN.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
being one more than seven
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
at any time
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
destroyed or killed
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
habitationnounUS /ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən/
the native habitat or home of an animal or plant
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
Holl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
HOLL'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
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 Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/
lowest in rank or importance
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHANGE OF PLAN.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A CHANGE OF PLAN.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
principallyadverbUS /ˈprɪnsɪpli/
for the most part
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
ruffians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
transport commercially
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
in or at that place or location
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He told her that at first his life on board ship had been very miserable.
a source of difficulty
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
precisely as stated
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Bessy had long since started to join her husband—sooner, indeed, than she had ever hoped to do—for eight months after he had sailed, a letter arrived from him, with good news for his anxious wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading JOHN HOLL'S habitation had not changed very greatly since the night that Frank Maynard had gone there with his friend Prescott to help Bessy Holl in her time of trouble.
the act of creating written works
From this reading His companions were principally ruffians of the lowest class, but it happened that the officer in command wanted a clerk, and had employed him for some hours each day in writing.
