used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
react verbally
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
bindingnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
ClarencenounUS /ˈklerəns/
a closed carriage with four wheels and seats for four passengers
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
permission to do something
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
the act of departing
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
Everard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
fictitiousadjectiveUS /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
harrowingadjectiveUS /ˈheroʊɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
Josephine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
Latterlyadverb
in the recent past
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
Matthewson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/
the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
misdemeanorsnounUS /ˌmɪsdəˈmiːnərz/
plural of “misdemeanor” — a crime less serious than a felony
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
postmasternounUS /ˈpoʊstmæstər/
the person in charge of a post office
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading Latterly he had taken to the study of medicine, and assumed the title of “Doctor.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading There had been a clergyman in town by that name, the postmaster wrote, but he had been dismissed for various misdemeanors.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading There could be no mistake, and the harrowing doubt which had so weighed on Josephine’s spirits gave way as she read this answer to her letter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
in the company of; together with
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading However, a marriage performed by him, with the knowledge and consent of the parties, would undoubtedly be binding on such parties.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Immediately after Everard’s departure she wrote to the postmaster at Clarence, making inquiries for Doctor Matthewson, and in due time received an answer addressed to the fictitious name which she had given.
