used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
(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 Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
a female human offspring
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
introducingverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
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 Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
Nichols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
on one occasion
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
and nothing more
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
PACKINGnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading PACKING UP.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
plebeiannounUS /pləˈbiːən/
one of the common people
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
rebellionnounUS /rɪˈbeljən/
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
repentedverbUS /rɪˈpentɪd/
past form of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
express in speech
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As far as possible his father’s business was settled, and then John began to speak of his returning.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
hard to endure
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading PACKING UP.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The funeral was over, and in the quiet valley by the side of his only daughter, Grandfather Nichols was laid to rest.
which person or people
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading More than once had he repented of the promise made to his father, and as the time passed on he shrank more and more from introducing his “plebeian” mother to his “lady” wife, who, he knew, was meditating an open rebellion.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Immediately after his father’s death he had written to his wife, telling her all, and trying as far as he was able to smooth matters over, so that his mother might at least have a decent reception.
