used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
the two together, not just one
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
CavendishnounUS /ˈkævəndɪʃ/
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
complacencynounUS /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
set up or found
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
freshnessnounUS /ˈfreʃnəs/
the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
the state of being honored
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
honourableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
Major'snounUS /ˈmeɪdʒərz/
possessive form of “major” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
photographynounUS /fəˈtɑːɡrəfi/
the act of taking and printing photographs
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
cut with a saw
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
stainsnounUS /steɪnz/
plural of “stain” — a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
be standing; be upright
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
someone who visits
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Mr Cavendish thought he had been an object of admiration to Maria Brown, as we have said.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading They looked as people might well look who had been caught in the fact and did not know how to get over it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
at the time that
From this reading With this idea it was Miss Brown he asked for as he knocked at the Major's door; and he found them both in the drawing-room, Maria with gloves on to hide the honourable stains of her photography, which made her comparatively useless when she was out of her "studio"--and her father walking about in a state of excitement, which was, indeed, what Mr Cavendish expected.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
which person or people
From this reading The two exchanged a guilty look when they saw who their visitor was.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He thought of it with a little middle-aged complacency, and a confidence that this vague sentiment would stand the test he was about to apply to it, which did honour to the freshness of his heart.
