used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
(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 Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
damenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
Duchessa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
divisible by two
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
grande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
marvelledverbUS /mɑːrˈveld/
inflected form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
come together
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
and nothing more
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course it was not probable.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading Of course it was not probable.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
with speed
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
under-gardener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How was it likely they should meet, seeing that she was a _grande dame_, and he merely an under-gardener at the Hall?
VINCIT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course he knew, and assured himself that he knew, that the chances were all against any probability of their meeting.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
Woodleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never even contemplated the possibility of the Duchessa living in the neighbourhood, though he now marvelled why he had never happened to question her as to the exact locality of Woodleigh.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading HONOR VINCIT His brain was working rapidly, the while he felt a curious leaden sensation at his heart.
