used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
(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 ALL FOR LOVE.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
Betty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
CottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
dewyadjectiveUS /ˈduːi/
wet with dew
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
dog-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ALL FOR LOVE.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
a small worthless amount
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
Jack'snounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
and nothing more
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading ALL FOR LOVE.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
not any; not one
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
and nothing more
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
perennialadjectiveUS /pərˈeniəl/
lasting three seasons or more
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
Preston's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
rapturouslyadverb
in an ecstatic manner
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
RidleynounUS /ˈrɪdli/
a marine turtle
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
Swayne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
look attentively
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
at the time that
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
in or at the place that
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
