used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
curatenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
dissatisfiedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsætəsfaɪd/
in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
set up or found
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
James'snounUS /ˈdʒeɪmzɪz/
possessive form of “james” — a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
and nothing more
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
ManningverbUS /ˈmænɪŋ/
inflected form of “man” — take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
a particular point in time
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
used to form the superlative
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
much-neglected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
a human being
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
promotionnounUS /prəˈmoʊʃən/
a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
Rathbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
rectornounUS /ˈrektər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
son-in-lawnounUS /ˈsʌnɪnlɔː/
the husband of your daughter
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
spherenounUS /sfɪr/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Her son-in-law had obtained promotion, and now, with an improved income and a greater responsibility, was the rector of a town parish.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
(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 WE found Mrs. Manning perplexed, and well she might be.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
at the time that
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
which person or people
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mary's story seemed likely to repeat itself, and she was, for the moment, feeling dissatisfied with everything and every person.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "Just the man to work it well," was the verdict when he entered upon his new sphere of labour at St. James's, Rathbury.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And the wife who had been "as good as a curate," and better than most, according to the verdict of the village folk, now owned that her husband would need other help, if the poor were to be visited, and a much-neglected district satisfactorily worked.
