used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
after-cure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
basementnounUS /ˈbeɪsmənt/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
caretakernounUS /ˈkerteɪkər/
a custodian who is hired to take care of something (property or a person)
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
colossaladjectiveUS /kəˈlɑːsəl/
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
being joined in close association
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
every person
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
set up or found
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
grousenounUS /ɡraʊs/
flesh of any of various grouse of the family Tetraonidae; usually roasted; flesh too dry to broil
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
inheritancenounUS /ˌɪnˈherətəns/
hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
go away from a place
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
lettucenounUS /ˈletəs/
informal terms for money
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
engage in
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
Mayfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
muffinnounUS /ˈmʌfən/
a sweet quick bread baked in a cup-shaped pan
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
not any; not one
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
Okehampton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
onerousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊnərəs/
not easily borne; wearing
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
and nothing more
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
SwitzerlandnounUS /ˈswɪtsərlənd/
a landlocked federal republic in central Europe
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
tea-parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Everybody in the Red Book had left London.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Lord Okehampton was shooting grouse, and Lady Okehampton ought to have been doing an after-cure in Switzerland; but "the sad state of my poor niece after her husband's ghastly death, and the legal business connected with her colossal inheritance, make it impossible for me to leave town.
except if; if not
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The West End was a desert, and the shrill summons of the telephone was heard no more in Mayfair.
in or at the place that
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Only people with urgent and onerous business were to be found in London.
but in spite of that
From this reading Nobody, unless it were the caretaker, was being asked to luncheon or dinner, and the only tea-parties were in the basement, where the late lettuce had not yet given place to the early muffin.
