adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His quiet Christmas dinner had grown into an evening party.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
betrothedadjective
pledged to be married
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading His quiet Christmas dinner had grown into an evening party.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The conversation was on the usual topic.
daughter'snounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/
possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
DawesnounUS /dɔːz/
American patriot who rode with Paul Revere to warn that the British were advancing on Lexington and Concord (1745-1799)
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
entangledadjectiveUS /enˈtæŋɡəld/
deeply involved especially in something complicated
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading His quiet Christmas dinner had grown into an evening party.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
gatheringnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
HeardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
InsteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
Jellicoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
listverbUS /lɪst/
give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
McNab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
Meekin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
MesdamesnounUS /meɪˈdæmz/
plural of “madame” — title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The conversation was on the usual topic.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading His quiet Christmas dinner had grown into an evening party.
PounceverbUS /paʊns/
move down on as if in an attack
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
Protherick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
spokenadjectiveUS /ˈspoʊkən/
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Heard anything about that fellow Dawes?” asked Mr. Pounce.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The conversation was on the usual topic.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The conversation was on the usual topic.
Vickers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The conversation was on the usual topic.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The “little gathering” of which Major Vickers had spoken to Mr. Meekin, had grown into something larger than he had anticipated.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Instead of a quiet dinner at which his own household, his daughter's betrothed, and the stranger clergyman only should be present, the Major found himself entangled with Mesdames Protherick and Jellicoe, Mr. McNab of the garrison, and Mr. Pounce of the civil list.
