used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
matters of personal concern
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
daresay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
enliveningadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənɪŋ/
giving spirit and vivacity
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
Fanshawe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
a social unit living together
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
ill-conditioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
full of life and energy
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
no person; not anyone
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
on one occasion
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
ParliamentnounUS /ˈpɑːrləmənt/
a legislative assembly in certain countries
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
putsnounUS /pʊts/
plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
saddenedverbUS /ˈsædənd/
past form of “sadden” — make unhappy
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
ScotchnounUS /skɑːtʃ/
a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
