used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
matters of personal concern
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
a quantity of money
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
Barclay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
censoriousadjective
harshly critical or expressing censure
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
consumedverbUS /kənˈsuːmd/
past form of “consume” — eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
country-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
divisible by two
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
at any time
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
every person
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
a social unit living together
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
intimacynounUS /ˈɪntəməsi/
close or warm friendship
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
conformity or harmony
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
KIRSTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
immediately past
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
lazinessnounUS /ˈleɪzinəs/
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
held dear
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
mistress's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
not any; not one
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
not one, and not any
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
PHEMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
riotousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪətəs/
produced or growing in extreme abundance
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
in or at that place or location
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Throughout the summer she had a succession of visitors, and stories began to spread concerning strange doings at the castle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
at the time that
From this reading When at last she came home, she was even less pleasant than before in the eyes of her household, no one of which had ever loved her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
which person or people
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading The neighbours talked of extravagance, and the censorious among them of riotous living; while some of the servants more than hinted that the amount of wine and whisky consumed was far in excess of what served when the old colonel was alive.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading KIRSTY AND PHEMY During the first winter which Francis spent at college, his mother was in England, and remained there all the next summer and winter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One of them who, in her mistress’s frequent fits of laziness, acted as housekeeper, had known David Barclay from his boyhood, and understood his real intimacy with her late master: it was not surprising, therefore, that she should open her mind to him, while keeping toward everyone else a settled silence concerning her mistress’s affairs: none of the stories current in the country-side came from her.
