used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
client'snounUS /ˈklaɪənts/
possessive form of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
conscientiouslyadverbUS /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/
with extreme conscientiousness
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
contributedverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/
past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
divisible by two
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
brought together in one place
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
Grace'snounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
possessive form of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
an established custom
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
HumenounUS /hjuːm/
Scottish philosopher skeptical philosophy restricted human knowledge to that which can be perceived by the senses (1711-1776)
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/
plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
infirmadjectiveUS /ɪnˈfɜːrm/
lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
Kirklands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
leasesnounUS /ˈliːsɪz/
plural of “lease” — property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
nominaladjectiveUS /ˈnɑːmənəl/
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
rentsnounUS /rents/
plural of “rent” — a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
carry out
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEARCH Miss Hume, Grace's aunt, left the management of Kirklands entirely in the hands of her business agent.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And certainly he conscientiously performed these duties with a view to his client's interests.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mr. Graham met the tenants, gathered the rents, arranged the leases, and directed the improvements without even a nominal interference on her part.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading It may be wondered that Miss Hume did not take a more personal interest in her tenants, but various things had contributed to this state of matters.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
a late time of life
From this reading Indeed, she was now so infirm that it would have been difficult for her to take any active interest in things around her, especially as it had not been the habit of her earlier years to do so.
