used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The affair was difficult, personal, odious.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
Aldous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
Aldous's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
(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 All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The affair was difficult, personal, odious.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
east-wind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
governingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
grammar-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
grandfather'snounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
head-master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
march in a procession
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
held or filled or in use
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
odiousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊdiəs/
unequivocally detestable
From this reading The affair was difficult, personal, odious.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading The affair was difficult, personal, odious.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
pursuitsnounUS /pərˈsuːts/
plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
in the direction of
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
on a floor above
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a bleak east-wind day towards the end of March.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading To have wasted nearly three hours upon it was, to a man of Aldous's type, to have lost a day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
in or at the place that
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All the morning he had been occupied with a tedious piece of local business, wading through endless documents concerning a dispute between the head-master of a neighbouring grammar-school and his governing body, of which Aldous was one.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Aldous was at work in the library at the Court, writing at his grandfather's table, where in general he got through his estate and county affairs, keeping his old sitting-room upstairs for the pursuits that were more particularly his own.
