used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
(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 We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
apologiesnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiːz/
plural of “apology” — an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
believesverbUS /bɪˈliːvz/
third-person singular of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
disrespectnounUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈspekt/
an expression of lack of respect
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
go away from a place
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They would not stay over night.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They would not stay over night.”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
in the near future
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
prettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
and nothing more
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
express in speech
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They would not stay over night.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had such a time to learn that.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
(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 could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading We could not understand why we were obeyed so well at first, and presently, without any outward disrespect, our wants were simply ignored until all the English people had been attended to.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading My sister had told me I was too polite, but one never believes one’s sister, so I questioned our sweet English friends, and they, with much delicacy and many apologies, and the prettiest hesitation in the world—considering the situation—told us the reason.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “But,” I gasped, “if I should speak to our servants in that manner they would leave.
