used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
approachesnounUS /əˈproʊtʃəz/
plural of “approach” — ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
Bolton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
Caldigate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading And then,--as he said to himself,--matrimony is honest.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And then,--as he said to himself,--matrimony is honest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
go away from a place
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading And then,--as he said to himself,--matrimony is honest.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
a particular point in time
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
absolutely essential
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading And then,--as he said to himself,--matrimony is honest.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading But then it had been necessary that he should be abrupt in order that he might get the matter understood.
except if; if not
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
under normal conditions
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
precisely as stated
From this reading Robert Bolton Caldigate felt at the moment that he had been very abrupt,--so abrupt as to have caused infinite dismay.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The ordinary approaches were not open to him, and unless he had taken a more than usually rapid advantage of the occasion which he had made for himself, he would have had to leave the house without having been able to give any of its inmates the least idea of his purpose.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He was in all worldly respects a fit match for the young lady.
