used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
(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 The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
AscotnounUS /ˈæskɑːt/
a cravat with wide square ends; secured with an ornamental pin
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
bloatedverbUS /ˈbloʊtɪd/
past form of “bloat” — become bloated or swollen or puff up
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
croakernounUS /ˈkroʊkər/
the lean flesh of a saltwater fish caught along Atlantic coast of southern U.S.
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
damagesnounUS /ˈdæmədʒəz/
a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
characterized by great determination
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
Drummond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
FataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
cause to move by striking
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
where you live at a particular time
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
ill-advisedadjective
without careful prior deliberation or counsel
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
occurring by chance
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
joined in matrimony
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
MarryingverbUS /ˈmeriɪŋ/
-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
a human being
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
POSTAGE-STAMP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNFORTUNATE POSTAGE-STAMP.
prioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
precisely, exactly
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
scampnoun
one who is playfully mischievous
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading UNFORTUNATE POSTAGE-STAMP.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
a message informing of danger
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This somewhat extraordinary piece of intelligence was communicated to my friend Alfred Drummond in his own home about three months after he was married.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
at the time that
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
which person or people
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
wilfuladjective
done by design
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading I thought it an ill-advised union from the first, but when I ventured on a word of warning, I was immediately put down as an old croaker, so I determined to let the wilful man have his own way.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading The person who claimed a prior right to the lady had scamp plainly written on his bloated features, and he looked all over a man who lived by his wits.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _A street acquaintance--The fascinating widow--Fatal marriage--Marrying another man's wife--A question of damages--Lucky hit at Ascot._ "Do you know that you have married my wife?"
