used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
allusionnounUS /əˈluːʒən/
passing reference or indirect mention
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
consultationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
cordialadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
at any time
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
harshnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrʃnəs/
the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
inferencenounUS /ˈɪnfərəns/
the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
not any; not one
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
OakleynounUS /ˈoʊkli/
United States sharpshooter who was featured in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (1860-1926)
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
stepmothernounUS /ˈstepmʌðər/
the wife of your father by a subsequent marriage
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
supper-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading He anticipated that it would arouse her suspicions, and lead to his being treated with greater coldness and harshness than ever.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was with considerable surprise, therefore, that on presenting himself at the supper-table he received a very pleasant greeting from his stepmother.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She made no allusion to having met him, but, in her conversation with her brother, asked two or three questions of John, in an easy way, as if the relations between them were perfectly cordial.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
showing curiosity
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading John could not help wondering what inference Mrs. Oakley would draw from seeing him in consultation with the lawyer.
