used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
(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 had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
baby-hood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading LOOKING BACK.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
commendedverbUS /kəˈmendɪd/
past form of “commend” — express approval of
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
a small house with a single story
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/
past form of “invest” — make an investment
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
and nothing more
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
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 I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
go away from a place
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading LOOKING BACK.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
pennilessadjectiveUS /ˈpeniləs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
protégée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
rectornounUS /ˈrektər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
a special situation
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading He had commended me to the care of his oldest friend, the rector of the parish, and had left me all that he had to leave—a thousand pounds and his blessing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
tyrantnounUS /ˈtaɪrənt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
Waterville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
at the time that
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
in or at the place that
From this reading I HAD grown-up, a penniless little orphan, in my uncle's quiet country cottage, and when he died, I knew not where to look for another home.
which person or people
From this reading It had seemed to me a hard thing that nurse, who had been my loving tyrant from baby-hood, should have left me just twelve months before my uncle's death.
widowedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪdoʊd/
single because of death of the spouse
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The rector was a good man and a wise; he invested my small fortune to the best advantage, and sent me up to town to be the protégée and companion of his widowed sister, Lady Waterville.
