used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
Aston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
averseadjectiveUS /əˈvɜːrs/
(usually followed by “to”) strongly opposed
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
the two together, not just one
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
not accessible to view
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
demurverbUS /dɪˈmɜːr/
take exception to
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
dormantadjectiveUS /ˈdɔːrmənt/
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
give expression to
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
communicated in words
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
gaddingverbUS /ˈɡædɪŋ/
inflected form of “gad” — wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
half-opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
Jessie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
lordlyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːrdliː/
of or befitting a lord
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
take the midday meal
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
a form of address for a man
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
not any; not one
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
punctuallyadverb
at the expected or proper time
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
qualmsnounUS /kwɑːmz/
plural of “qualm” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
Sartin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
try to get or reach
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jessie proved by no means averse to "gadding about," as her mother expressed it.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
the topmost one of two
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As they were turning away the great door swung open and Christopher came out.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading On their way they had both cheerfully concealed some tremulous qualms and neither had ventured to express a dormant wish that Mr. Christopher had chosen some other spot for lunch than the lordly, sombre, half-opened house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She and Mrs. Sartin turned up punctually at Aston House, though laden with an air of desperate resolve.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was not until they stood beneath the great portico that their vague discomfort got the upper hand, and Mrs. Sartin agreed without demur to Jessie's suggestion that they should seek a smaller entrance.
