used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
(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 She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading So he took a cigarette and waited.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth'snounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθs/
possessive form of “elizabeth” — daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
employersnounUS /emˈplɔɪərz/
plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
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 She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
grievancenounUS /ˈɡriːvəns/
a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
implicitadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplɪsət/
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
staying power
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
take the midday meal
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
a female domestic
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
masculineadjectiveUS /ˈmæskjələn/
of grammatical gender
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
and nothing more
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
by chance
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
bring forth or yield
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
snacknounUS /snæk/
a light informal meal
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he took a cigarette and waited.
sourverbUS /ˈsaʊər/
go sour or spoil
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Jean sat on the kitchen table and swung his legs to and fro in a confidential manner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So he took a cigarette and waited.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading So he took a cigarette and waited.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading AFTER lunch Jean went to Elizabeth.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was washing up the dishes, or she preferred to let Jean think she was; as a matter of fact, she had been having what is known in servants’ quarters as a “snack,” but like all healthy, properly brought up English servants, she liked her employers to fancy that she lived upon air alone.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had an implicit masculine confidence in Elizabeth’s sympathy--Elizabeth was perhaps only a sour old maid, but she would know that he was there to have his grievance produced, and she would in time produce it for him.
