used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
ACCUSATIONnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
adjoined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
(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 The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
consumedverbUS /kənˈsuːmd/
past form of “consume” — eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/
include or contain; have as a component
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
a female human offspring
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
every person
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
foremannounUS /ˈfɔːrmən/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
set up or found
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
the act of departing
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
destroyed or killed
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
Henriksberg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
housemaidnoun
a female domestic
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
a message received and understood
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
and nothing more
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
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 For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
Lövdala
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
not any; not one
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
being perceived or observed
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
Pastor'snounUS /ˈpæstərz/
possessive form of “pastor” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
be seated
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
sledgeverbUS /sledʒ/
transport in a sleigh
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
in the near future
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
which person or people
From this reading The housemaid who helped them out of the sledge had noticed that they both looked serious and troubled, but that was all the information she could give.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Neither the Pastor’s wife nor his daughter nor any of the maids could solve the riddle of why they had come.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE ACCUSATION Everyone in Lövdala was so consumed with curiosity that they could scarcely contain themselves.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading For just think, the foreman of Henriksberg had come driving up with a woman no one knew, and instead of going into the drawing-room as other visitors used to do, they had gone to the Pastor’s study and stayed there talking alone with him for several hours.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Pastor’s wife had tried to sit in the parlour with her work, for this room adjoined the Pastor’s, and if she could have stayed there she would soon have found out the visitors’ errand.
