used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
(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 would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
rid of obstructions
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
Darlington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
recognizable; marked
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
drasticadjectiveUS /ˈdræstɪk/
forceful and extreme and rigorous
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
economynounUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/
the system of production and distribution and consumption
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
forethoughtnounUS /ˈfɔːrθɔːt/
planning or plotting in advance of acting
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
of great significance or value
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
indebtednessnounUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪdnɪs/
an obligation to pay money to another party
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
Lucian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
engage in
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
measuresnounUS /ˈmeʒərz/
plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
reconciledadjectiveUS /ˈrekənsaɪld/
made compatible or consistent
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
Simonstower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
snow-cappedadjective
(of mountains) capped with a covering of snow
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
Sprats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lucian came down to breakfast next morning equipped for his journey to Simonstower.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in good spirits: the day was bright and frosty, and he was already dreaming of the village and the snow-capped hills beyond it.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In dressing he had thought over his plans, and had decided that he was now quite reconciled to the drastic measures which Sprats had proposed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had very little conception of the real meaning of these important qualities, but he had always admired them in the abstract, and he now intended to form an intimate acquaintance with them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would clear off all his indebtedness to Darlington, pay whatever bills might be owing, and make a fresh start, this time on the lines of strict economy, forethought, and prudence.
