used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
addictedadjectiveUS /əˈdɪktɪd/
compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
(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 She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
castsnounUS /kæsts/
plural of “cast” — the actors in a play
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
a female human offspring
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
decayedadjectiveUS /dəˈkeɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
discordantlyadverb
in a discordant manner
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
dulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
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 She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
gentleman'snounUS /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/
possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
gentlewomannounUS /ˈdʒentəlwʊmən/
a woman of refinement
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
gratesnounUS /ɡreɪts/
plural of “grate” — a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
of an obscure nature
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
no person; not anyone
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
paintsnounUS /peɪnts/
plural of “paint” — a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
prestigenounUS /preˈstiːʒ/
a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
reputedverbUS /rɪˈpjuːtɪd/
past form of “repute” — look on as or consider
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
RochesternounUS /ˈrɑːtʃestər/
a city in western New York; a center of the photographic equipment industry
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
Rochester'snounUS /ˈrɑːtʃestərz/
possessive form of “rochester” — a city in western New York; a center of the photographic equipment industry
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
samenessnounUS /ˈseɪmnəs/
the quality of being alike
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
a state of social isolation
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
squire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
Thornfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Thornfield Hall is the property of Mr. Rochester--a bachelor addicted to travelling.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A strange laugh is heard from time to time in a distant part of the house--a laugh which grates discordantly upon Jane's ear.
variesverbUS /ˈveriz/
third-person singular of “vary” — become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
at the time that
From this reading She finds it at first in all the peaceful prestige of an English gentleman's seat when "nobody is at the hall."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is a pleasing monotony in the summer solitude of the old country house, with its comfort, respectability, and dulness, which Jane paints to the life; but there is one circumstance which varies the sameness and casts a mysterious feeling over the scene.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The companions are an old decayed gentlewoman housekeeper--a far away cousin of the squire's--and a young French child, Jane's pupil, Mr. Rochester's ward and reputed daughter.
