used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
colderadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldər/
comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
Daccombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
Davey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
someone who is a detective
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
having made preparations
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
one or the other of two
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
extinctionnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
no longer active; extinguished
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
intervenedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈviːnd/
past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
offspringnounUS /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/
the immediate descendants of a person
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
an angry dispute
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
snoreverbUS /snɔːr/
breathe noisily during one's sleep
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
in the near future
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
refrain from harming
From this reading He held that each did the other good, and he had neither pity nor particular regard to spare for either.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
thrashverbUS /θræʃ/
give a thrashing to; beat hard
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
a source of difficulty
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
unsentimentaladjectiveUS /ənˌsentɪˈmentəl/
facing facts or difficulties realistically and with determination
From this reading An honest but unsentimental man, love for his offspring had never particularly marked his mind.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
at the time that
From this reading He was contented that his sons should quarrel, and that Dick should thrash Davey when he felt so disposed, for it saved him the trouble.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading This cheerless fact now appeared, for on a night soon after Christmas, Mrs. Daccombe approached her husband upon a matter of sentiment, and won colder comfort from him than she expected.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Mary Daccombe was wont to reserve the problems of the working day until nightfall; and her husband solved them as best he could during those brief minutes that intervened between the extinction of the candle and his first snore.
