used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
make certain of
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
BernhardtnounUS /ˈbɜːrnhɑːrt/
French actress (1844-1923)
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the two together, not just one
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
Chetwynd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was two days later.
dearly loved
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
governverbUS /ˈɡʌvərn/
bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
of great significance or value
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was two days later.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
immediately past
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was two days later.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
presumeverbUS /prɪˈzuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
professionallyadverbUS /prəˈfeʃənəli/
in a professional manner
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
express the need or desire for
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
Identical; not different.
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
express in words
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
sociallyadverbUS /ˈsoʊʃəli/
by or with respect to society
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
express a supposition
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was two days later.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was two days later.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir John Chetwynd sat in his big easy chair with an open letter before him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading You must have been _professionally_ engaged last night, I presume, since we were obliged to dine without you and go to see Sarah Bernhardt alone."
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We are surprised to have seen and heard nothing of you," wrote the Duchess; "more especially as after the few words we had in private upon a certain important matter, I fully anticipated an early visit from you.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading But such a busy man as yourself and one so much in request, both socially and professionally, must not be judged by the rules which govern the common herd, I suppose; at the same time (although I assure you she has not said a word upon the subject) I can say that dear Ethel feels herself a wee bit neglected.
