used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
any person at all
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
move towards
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
assignationnoun
a secret rendezvous (especially between lovers)
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
next to; at the side of
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
Drury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
Duennanoun
a woman chaperon
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
Esther's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
divisible by two
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
Hales's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
a narrow way or road
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
Linley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
music-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
pantomimic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
participate in games or sport
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
respectingverbUS /riˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
a male human offspring
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
vacatedverbUS /veɪˈkeɪtɪd/
past form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading |HE was beside her before she was aware of it, in the great music-room at Lady Hales's house.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Of course he went through the pantomimic form of inquiring how it was that she was alone--this was, she knew, for the benefit of anyone who might be watching them and suspect an assignation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading He was beside her and whispering in her ear, though she had not even known that he was to be present.
which person or people
From this reading Esther's husband, who had been in the seat beyond her, had been led away some time earlier by Mr. Linley's clever son in order that he might give an opinion respecting one of the songs in a piece named _The Duenna_, which was about to be produced at Drury Lane.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had not seen him approach her--she could not have done so without turning round, for he had approached her from behind, and slipped into the chair that Esther had vacated in order to play to the company.
