used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
the two together, not just one
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
rid of obstructions
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/
the condition of being concealed or hidden
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
Deerbrook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
divisible by two
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
Hester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOPHIA IN THE VILLAGE.
a message received and understood
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
a form of address for a man
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
information about recent and important events
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
not any; not one
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
one of four equal parts
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
SOPHIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOPHIA IN THE VILLAGE.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOPHIA IN THE VILLAGE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
THIRTEENnounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
up to a particular time
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading SOPHIA IN THE VILLAGE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As they were both aware that this communication was a little out of order,--Mr and Mrs Grey having a clear title to the earliest information,--Maria had to be discreet for nearly three hours--till she heard the news from another quarter.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
in or at the place that
From this reading Deerbrook was not a place where practical affairs could be long kept secret, even where the best reasons for secrecy existed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About Hester's engagement there was no reason whatever for concealment; and it was accordingly made known to every one in Deerbrook in the course of the next day.--Margaret shut herself up with Maria before breakfast, and enjoyed an hour of hearty sympathy from her, in the first place.
