used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
bedriddenadjectiveUS /ˈbedrɪdən/
confined to bed (by illness)
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
bustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
complimentaryadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈmentəri/
conveying or resembling a compliment
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
Cotswoldsnoun
a range of low hills in southwestern England
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
CushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
dearly loved
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
at any time
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
immediately past
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
the act of departing
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
matrimonialadjectiveUS /ˌmætrəˈmoʊniəl/
of or relating to the state of marriage
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
and nothing more
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
pastoraladjectiveUS /ˈpæstərəl/
of or relating to a pastor
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
on the contrary
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
ruefuladjectiveUS /ˈruːfəl/
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
not often
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
Snig's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
not in physical motion
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
stoicismnounUS /ˈstoʊ.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/
An ancient Greek and Roman philosophy holding that virtue is the only true good, and that emotional self-control leads to inner serenity.
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I don’t think I should like a bedridden husband, Mrs. Cushion."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
vicarnounUS /ˈvɪkər/
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
Winstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctor and his wife "over to Winstone" were hospitable and kind, the villagers were friendly as only peasant folk in the remote Cotswolds still are; the vicar I always look upon as one of the most understanding and delightful people I’ve ever met.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And Mrs. Cushion bustled out with the tray, leaving me to the rather rueful reflection that her last speech was more complimentary to my stoicism than to my matrimonial prospects.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Snig’s" was an ideal place to work in: quiet without being lonely; fresh and bracing, yet seldom cold; beautiful with the homely, tender grace of pastoral England.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
You'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You’ll like whatever you gets, my dear, never you fear."
