used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
set up or found
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
HmnounUS /hm/
a metric unit of length equal to 100 meters
From this reading "Hm!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
indiscretionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃən/
the trait of being injudicious
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
and nothing more
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
a polite name for any woman
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
go away from a place
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
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 When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
MINIATUREnounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
with speed
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
ReverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MINIATURE It happened that the Reverend Donald Maxwell committed a careless indiscretion.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was quite right in his surmise, for just as she was about to leave the room she had caught sight of the picture, and, after examining it carefully, she had exclaimed to herself:
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
at the time that
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He quickly placed it in its covering and locked it up in his desk, but not without many misgivings at the thought that Mrs. Burke had probably discovered it when she put his room in order.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When he went to his room to prepare for supper, he found that he had left the miniature of a certain young lady on the mantelpiece, having forgotten to return it to its hiding-place the night before.
