used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
Allenerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
compatriotsnounUS /kəmˈpeɪtriəts/
plural of “compatriot” — a person from your own country
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
divertverbUS /daɪˈvɜːrt/
turn aside; turn away from
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
a social unit living together
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
of great significance or value
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
and nothing more
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "A little of that--and a little thought of business too.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
come together
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
and nothing more
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "A little of that--and a little thought of business too.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "A little of that--and a little thought of business too.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "A little of that--and a little thought of business too.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
the act of using
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
VanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
accept gladly
From this reading She rose from her chair, and gave him a warm welcome; for he was not only their "man of business," but an old friend of the family.
at the time that
From this reading Margaret was in the act of adding up her bills, and counting the expenses of the season, next morning, when Mr. Allenerly was shown into the room.
in or at the place that
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She asked after his belongings, and if Scotland stood where it did, as is the use of compatriots when they meet in a strange country, and then she said, though not without a certain keen glance of curiosity,--for the visit of your man of business may always have something important lying under it, however innocent it appears,--
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "You will just have come to this great big Vanity Fair of a place to divert yourself, like the rest of us?"
