used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
anew
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
breakfasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
castenounUS /kæst/
social status or position conferred by a system based on class
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
take in solid food
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
entitledadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪtəld/
qualified for by right according to law
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
grouchnounUS /ɡraʊtʃ/
a bad-tempered person
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
Marshall'snounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəlz/
possessive form of “marshall” — United States actor (1914-1998)
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/
(of an infant) breast-fed
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
not used up
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading "Society!
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had breakfasted alone, Aunt Caroline rarely taking that meal down-stairs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
Up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
voidadjectiveUS /vɔɪd/
lacking any legal or binding force
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
WEAVEverbUS /wiːv/
interlace by or as if by weaving
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
WEBnounUS /web/
an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving
From this reading "THE WEB WE WEAVE" It was an excellent morning for a grouch, there being a drizzle outside, and Bill Marshall's grouch was carefully nursed by the owner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Up-stairs again in his own rooms, Bill was railing at life, which now stretched before him as cheerless as a black void.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been a comfort to have had Pete at breakfast, for Pete was entitled to the full benefit of the grouch; but a man cannot eat with his valet and preserve caste with the remaining servants in the house.
