used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
abdicatedverbUS /ˈæbdəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “abdicate” — give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
(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 It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
Aston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
Aymer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
chafedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪft/
painful from having the skin abraded
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/
official routes of communication
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
cousin'snounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
possessive form of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
psychological suffering
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
evaporatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈvæpəreɪtəd/
drawn off in the form of vapor
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
the organ of sight
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
set up or found
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
of the present time and place
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
go away from a place
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
mistrustedverbUS /mɪˈstrʌstɪd/
past form of “mistrust” — regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
objectiveadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒektɪv/
undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/
lacking in energy or will
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
try to get or reach
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/
The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
slownessnounUS /ˈsloʊnəs/
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
a male human offspring
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
speedyadjectiveUS /ˈspiːdiː/
characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
subjectiveadjectiveUS /səbˈdʒektɪv/
taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
unresistingadjective
offering no resistance
From this reading He appeared to have suddenly abdicated his position on the objective positive side of life and to have become a mere passive instrument of the hour, subjective and unresisting.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
communicated in words
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
visitor'snounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
possessive form of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever may have been the pressing business that caused Peter Masters to seek his cousin's company in so speedy a manner, the immediate necessity of it seemed to have evaporated on the journey.
which person or people
From this reading It was his father who was ready, armed against fate, alert, watchful to ward off all that might harm or distress his eldest son.
willingnessnounUS /ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/
cheerful compliance
From this reading Aymer, on the contrary, seemed more deliberate and placid than usual; there was a slowness in his speech, and an unusual willingness to leave the conversation in his visitor's hands as if he mistrusted his own powers to keep it in desirable channels.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sat talking of various things to Aymer and Charles Aston, but uttered nothing as to the reason of his visit, and Mr. Aston, with his eye on Aymer, chafed a little and found it hard to maintain his usual serenity.
