used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/
past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT POYNINGS.
banquettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
chateauxnounUS /ʃəˈtoʊ/
plural of “chateau” — an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
country-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
day-dream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
decorumnounUS /dɪˈkɔːrəm/
propriety in manners and conduct
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
diligencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
dulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
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 It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
essentiallyadverbUS /eˈsenʃəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
a man of refinement
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
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 It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
not any; not one
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
pepper-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
POYNINGS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT POYNINGS.
railwaysnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪz/
plural of “railway” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
soul-harrowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
make square
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
staidadjectiveUS /steɪd/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading It was a life essentially English in its character, in its staid respectability, in its dull decorum.
not in physical motion
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
successesnounUS /səkˈsesəz/
plural of “success” — an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
turreted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Life at Poynings had its parallel in hundreds of country-houses, of which it was but a type.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It is the day-dream of many an English country gentleman that his house should, in the first place, be respectable, in the second place, comfortable, in the third place, free from damp; after these successes are achieved, he takes no further thought for it; within and without the dulness may be soul-harrowing; that is no affair of his.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There are old French chateaux without number, visible in bygone days to travellers in the banquettes of diligencies, and glimpses of which may still occasionally be caught from the railways, gray, square, four pepper-box turreted old buildings, wherein life is dreary but not decorous, and sad without being staid.
