used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
how long something has existed
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His housekeeper was questioned; but the housekeeper knew nothing of the how and the why.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
comprehendedadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
one or the other of two
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
every person
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
a man of refinement
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading His housekeeper was questioned; but the housekeeper knew nothing of the how and the why.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His housekeeper was questioned; but the housekeeper knew nothing of the how and the why.
INTRUSIONnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading INTRUSION.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading His housekeeper was questioned; but the housekeeper knew nothing of the how and the why.
MackintoshnounUS /ˈmækəntɑːʃ/
a lightweight waterproof (usually rubberized) fabric
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
engage in
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
MidsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading His housekeeper was questioned; but the housekeeper knew nothing of the how and the why.
rectorynounUS /ˈrektəri/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
not in physical motion
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
required or under orders
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Mr. Mackintosh came and took possession of the rectory at Midsummer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a single gentleman, everybody was surprised to find.
which person or people
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Nothing was heard of either mother or sister who might make his home comfortable; and why such a handsome gentleman, rich enough, it was supposed, and certainly not past middle age, should be still single, was more than could be comprehended by the people of the parish.
