used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
ColonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The one exception was Jane herself; she was not sure--not entirely.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
every person
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
a social unit living together
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
fanlightnoun
a window above a door that is usually hinged to a horizontal crosspiece over the door
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
the act of departing
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
death of a person
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The one exception was Jane herself; she was not sure--not entirely.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
inconsequentadjective
lacking worth or importance
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
layernounUS /ˈleɪər/
single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
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 There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
take in marriage
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The one exception was Jane herself; she was not sure--not entirely.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
and nothing more
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
participate in games or sport
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
on the contrary
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The one exception was Jane herself; she was not sure--not entirely.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF "PLAY THE GAME," ETC.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
the topmost one of two
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
Vail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
VermontnounUS /vərˈmɑːnt/
a state in New England
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
Wetherby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To begin with, he was a Wetherby, and the family went steadily back in an unbroken line to Colonial days; it was their grave old house with the fanlight over its dignified door which had given Wetherby Ridge its name.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There were many sound and sensible reasons why she should, and only two or three rather inconsequent ones why she should not.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With but one exception, everybody in the upper layer of life in that placid Vermont village was sure that Jane Vail was going to marry Martin Wetherby.
