used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Perhaps--if there is any!"
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
CONTESTnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
courteousadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrtiəs/
exhibiting courtesy and politeness
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Perhaps--if there is any!"
inseparableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsepərəbəl/
not capable of being separated
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Perhaps--if there is any!"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
in like or similar manner
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
noblemannounUS /ˈnoʊbəlmən/
a titled peer of the realm
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
in other respects or ways
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
pastimesnounUS /ˈpæstaɪmz/
plural of “pastime” — a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
perfunctorilyadverb
in a set manner without serious attention; as a formality
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps--if there is any!"
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
Ronsdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
SteelenounUS /stiːl/
English writer (1672-1729)
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Perhaps--if there is any!"
push forcefully
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
precisely as stated
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lord Ronsdale had greeted John Steele perfunctorily; the other's manner was likewise mechanically courteous.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It could not very well have been otherwise; a number of people were near.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A CONTEST A few days passed; the usual round of pastimes inseparable from house parties served to while away the hours; other guests arrived, one or two went.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Come down for a little sport?" the nobleman, his hands carelessly thrust into the pockets of his shooting trousers, had asked with a frosty smile.
