used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
speak to
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
ancestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
contributionnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈbjuːʃən/
the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
EdgarnounUS /ˈedɡər/
the younger brother of Edwy who became king of Northumbria when it renounced Edwy; on Edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of England (944-975)
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
expresslyadverbUS /ekˈspresli/
with specific intentions; for the express purpose
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
a social unit living together
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
hair-powder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into my own self I returned once more.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
liveries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
loathedverbUS /loʊðd/
past form of “loathe” — find repugnant
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
mainlyadverbUS /ˈmeɪnli/
for the most part
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Into my own self I returned once more.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
a form of address for a man
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
on one occasion
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Into my own self I returned once more.
prizedverbUS /praɪzd/
past form of “prize” — hold dear
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
on the contrary
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
re-establish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
relicsnounUS /ˈrelɪks/
plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
Sally'snounUS /ˈsæliz/
possessive form of “sally” — witty remark
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
secondlyadverbUS /ˈsekəndli/
in the second place
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading Into my own self I returned once more.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
showyadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊi/
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
Tossil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
usagesnounUS /ˈjuːsədʒəz/
plural of “usage” — the act of using
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
VaughannounUS /vɔːn/
United States jazz singer noted for her complex bebop phrasing and scat singing (1924-1990)
From this reading From Sally’s eager description of the coat and buttons, I concluded easily that a servant from Vaughan St. Mary had been sent in quest of me.
precisely as stated
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now what could be his motive for sending so expressly to discover me?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading My father hated showy liveries and loathed hair-powder, but Mr. Edgar Vaughan returned to the family usages, or rather allowed them to re-establish themselves; for on such questions he was wholly indifferent.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading I knew not, neither cared very greatly, but wrote at once to Tossil’s Barton, first to return their loving contribution, which consisted mainly of ancestral relics prized for generations, secondly, to set free the secret of my address.
