Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the state of being absent

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

noisy like the sound of a bee

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

without care or concern

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

-ing form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading 'Fortunately, Merewether has not committed himself,' the Marchioness was saying.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

Greek missionary; the invention of the Cyrillic alphabet is attributed to him (826-869)

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

plural of “entertainer” — a person who tries to please or amuse

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

with specific intentions; for the express purpose

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

opinion or judgment

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

by good fortune

From this reading 'Fortunately, Merewether has not committed himself,' the Marchioness was saying.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading 'Fortunately, Merewether has not committed himself,' the Marchioness was saying.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

go away from a place

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

the wife or widow of a marquis

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the force of workers available

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Fortunately, Merewether has not committed himself,' the Marchioness was saying.

a particular point in time

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading 'Fortunately, Merewether has not committed himself,' the Marchioness was saying.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

not easy to understand or use

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

precisely as stated

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

migratory

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mrs Burton was alone in her deserted house.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

during the time that

From this reading 'Young Burton has been off for six months on a wandering fit, and old Burton is up to the eyes in business, as usual,' Cyril Rivers explained, who was not unfriendly to his entertainers; while the Marchioness, with Lady Florizel in the room of state up-stairs, who was commenting upon Clara's behaviour, and declaring her intention to leave next morning.

which person or people

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The house was not deserted in the common sense of the word.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Up-stairs at this very moment it was buzzing with life and movement; and at least the young men in the smoking-room--men who had come from town, from their duties and their pleasures, expressly for the ball--were commenting to each other carelessly upon the absence of their host.