used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
BROWNLOW'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BROWNLOW’S CLERK.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading BROWNLOW’S CLERK.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
dog-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
door-steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
put on clothes
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
the act of giving
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
a form of address for a man
From this reading ONLY MR.
not any; not one
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
no person; not anyone
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
and nothing more
From this reading ONLY MR.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
Sara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
shooting-dresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
sideboardnoun
a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
sportsmennounUS /ˈspɔːrtsmɪn/
plural of “sportsman” — someone who engages in sports
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
at the time that
From this reading There was a pleasant bustle about the house that evening when the dog-cart drove up.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
but in spite of that
From this reading The sportsmen had been late of getting in, and nobody as yet had gone to dress; the door was open, and in the hall and about the broad door-steps pretty groups were lingering.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Sara and her friends on their way up stairs had encountered the gentlemen, fresh from their sport, some of whom had no doubt strayed to the sideboard, which was visible through the open door of the dining-room; but the younger ones were about the hall in their shooting-dresses talking to the girls and giving an account of themselves.
