used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
accomplishmentsnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənts/
plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
(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 "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/
inspired with confidence
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
fencingnounUS /ˈfensɪŋ/
a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
foiledadjectiveUS /fɔɪld/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
horsemanshipnounUS /ˈhɔːrsmənʃɪp/
skill in handling and riding horses
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
ladylikeadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdilaɪk/
befitting a woman of good breeding
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
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 "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
for more time
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
Mordaunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
needleworknounUS /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/
a creation created or assembled by needle and thread
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
not any; not one
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
on one occasion
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
orthographynounUS /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/
a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
express in words
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
signingnounUS /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/
language expressed by visible hand gestures
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
term of address for a man
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
SwissnounUS /swɪs/
the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my governess.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from that source.
