used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
additionsnounUS /əˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “addition” — a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
(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 In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
alterationsnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
barracksnounUS /ˈbærəks/
plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
Bootles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
brutaladjectiveUS /ˈbruːtəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
door-post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
duke'snounUS /duːks/
possessive form of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
Ferrers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
Ferrers's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
flownverbUS /floʊn/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
set up or found
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
frequencynounUS /ˈfriːkwənsi/
the number of occurrences within a given time period
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
the act of departing
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
only a very short time before
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
immediately past
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
of an obscure nature
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
new-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
not any; not one
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
rescuedadjectiveUS /ˈreskjuːd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
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 IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In fact, in the course of a few hours it had flown all over the town, gaining additions and alterations by the frequency of its repetition, until at last Bootles himself could hardly recognize it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was not to be expected, and Bootles did not expect it, that the story of the mysterious little stranger could be confined to barracks.
in or at the place that
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
which person or people
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A baby had been found in Captain Ferrers’s rooms; no one knew where it had come from nor to whom it belonged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had picked up a new-born infant while hunting with the duke’s hounds.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then—Captain Ferrers had rescued a young baby from a brutal father who was going to dash its brains out against the door-post.
