used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
AndrewsnounUS /ˈændruːz/
United States naturalist who contributed to paleontology and geology (1884-1960)
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
appointmentsnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənts/
plural of “appointment” — the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
CANDLESnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading FIVE CANDLES.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
one or the other of two
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading FIVE CANDLES.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
destroyed or killed
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
host'snounUS /hoʊsts/
possessive form of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
immediately past
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
engage in
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
come together
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
mettlenounUS /ˈmetəl/
the courage to carry on
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
not any; not one
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
telegramsnounUS /ˈteləɡræmz/
plural of “telegram” — a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
up to a particular time
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
hard to endure
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading More than one night he had stayed in town to meet them and to bring them up, but after a shower of telegrams, no guests had come.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The week passed away; a good deal of it was spent by Mr. Andrews in the city.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The expected guests seemed uncertain in the matter of appointments; either they didn't know their own minds, or they were trying the mettle of their future host's temper.
at the time that
From this reading At last, on Friday morning, he had gone to town, and told the servants he did not know when he should be back; till he sent a telegram they need not make any preparation for the visitors.
