used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "It's perfect," answered the mother.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
intense or sharp
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
the act of departing
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
Isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Isn't it a lovely country?" she said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Isn't it a lovely country?" she said.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's perfect," answered the mother.
and nothing more
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading "Isn't it a lovely country?" she said.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "It's perfect," answered the mother.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "It's perfect," answered the mother.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Isn't it a lovely country?" she said.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Isn't it a lovely country?" she said.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
sociableadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/
inclined to or conducive to companionship with others
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
tentativeadjectiveUS /ˈtentətɪv/
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
From this reading Emily herself solved the problem, producing her commonplace with a friendly tentative smile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
unintroduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "I've never visited Europe before, and the English country seems to me just exquisite.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
which person or people
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
but in spite of that
From this reading They were evidently sociable persons, but were not quite sure how to begin a conversation with an as yet unintroduced lady who was going to stay at the country house to which they were themselves invited.
