used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
(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 He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
eagerly desirous
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
ConsequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
Dredmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
a social unit living together
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
yet to be or coming
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
engage in
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
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 She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
notifiedverbUS /ˈnoʊtəfaɪd/
inflected form of “notify” — inform (somebody) of something
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
on one occasion
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
Randal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
Ruxley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
Ruxley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
term of address for a man
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Consequently she had received the intelligence of their arrival almost immediately.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
undefinableadjective
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
at the time that
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lady Ruxley had arranged with one of the servants that she was to be notified whenever Mr. Dredmond and his wife should come.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She knew that Adrian would make a clean breast of everything, and she reasoned that it would be the best time now for Herbert to be introduced to his brother and their friends, and have his future position in the family established at once.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading He had hesitated now with an undefinable dread at his heart about making his appearance, but, after a second thought, he had yielded to Lady Ruxley’s command, feeling that it would be better for all parties to have the matter settled for all time.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She had kept the young man with her until Lady Randal returned from Paris, when he insisted upon returning to his old quarters until his existence should be made known to his brother; and this meeting with Sir Charles had caused him many sleepless nights and much anxious thought.
