used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
anew
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
ChurchillnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪl/
English general considered one of the greatest generals in history (1650-1722)
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
deedily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
Fairfax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
start firing a weapon
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
livelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
held or filled or in use
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
pianofortenoun
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
on the contrary
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
shewverbUS /ʃuː/
establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
silversmithnoun
someone who makes or repairs articles of silver
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
slumberingverbUS /ˈslʌmbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
having a supporting base
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
express in words
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
tranquillitynounUS /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
hard to endure
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
being of use or service
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
precisely as stated
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “This is a pleasure,” said he, in rather a low voice, “coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
WestonnounUS /ˈwestən/
United States photographer(1886-1958)
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “What!” said Mrs. Weston, “have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.”
but in spite of that
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance on seeing Emma again.
