used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
divisible by two
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
the act of departing
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
held dear
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
not any; not one
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
Portman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
compacted by ironing
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
Sellingworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
SeymournounUS /ˈsiːmɔːr/
Queen of England as the third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI (1509-1537)
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading But no suggestion of that kind had been made to him.
thankfullyadverbUS /ˈθæŋkfəli/
in a thankful manner; with thanks
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About seven o’clock that evening Lady Sellingworth was sitting alone in her drawing-room.
accept gladly
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
at the time that
From this reading And, beyond calling regularly at the hour when he believed that he was welcome, he never pressed his company upon his dearly loved friend.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Seymour Portman had been with her for an hour and had left her at half past six, believing that she was going to spend one of her usual solitary evenings, probably with a book by the fire.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would gladly, even thankfully, have stayed to keep her company.
