used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
anew
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
archwaynounUS /ˈɑːrtʃweɪ/
a passageway under a curved masonry construction
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
half the width of an em
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
famille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
and nothing more
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
a polite name for any woman
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
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 Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
Menzies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
and nothing more
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
selfishnessnounUS /ˈselfɪʃnəs/
stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
term of address for a man
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
in or at that place or location
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading An evening or two later, a carriage containing Sir George and Lady Head drew up at a little mansion in the West end, the residence of the retired general, Sir Charles Menzies.
in or at the place that
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
which person or people
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading As they entered, the wide door in the deep archway was thrown open, and they were ushered into the drawing-room, where the General and his wife awaited their arrival.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The house was not brilliantly illuminated, a subdued light gleaming only in a few of the windows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Evidently there would not be many guests that night.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Just ourselves," exclaimed their host gaily; "a lonely old couple who have the selfishness to desire you to dine with them _en famille_, before they send you to the wars again."
