used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
(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 The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
ante-nuptial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
Captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The First Kiss.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
Greenow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
habiliments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
and nothing more
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading The First Kiss.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
and nothing more
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
by chance
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
Shap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
not in physical motion
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
sweetheartnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrt/
a person loved by another person
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The First Kiss.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
toyingnounUS /ˈtɔɪɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
Vavasor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
precisely as stated
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
vigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
someone who visits
From this reading But they were only just in time to escape the vigilant eyes of a new visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading "Hush!" said the widow, "there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us."
widowhoodnoun
the time of a woman's life when she is a widow
From this reading The scene was on the high road from Shap to Vavasor, and as she was still dressed in all the sombre habiliments of early widowhood, and as neither he nor his sweetheart were under forty, perhaps it was as well that they were not caught toying together in so very public a place.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Mrs. Greenow, as she spoke these words, drew back from the Captain's arms before the first kiss of permitted ante-nuptial love had been exchanged.
