used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
AshtonnounUS /ˈæʃtən/
British choreographer (1906-1988)
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
BassetnounUS /ˈbæsɪt/
smooth-haired breed of hound with short legs and long ears
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
broilingnounUS /ˈbrɔɪlɪŋ/
cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
defectnounUS /ˈdiːfekt/
an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
an act that fails
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/
the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
immediately past
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
LAURELnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading LAUREL LODGE.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
LiverpoolnounUS /ˈlɪvərpuːl/
a large city in northwestern England; its port is the country's major outlet for industrial exports
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
LODGEverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading LAUREL LODGE.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/
United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
on one occasion
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
and nothing more
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
pennilessadjectiveUS /ˈpeniləs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
by chance
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
preamblenounUS /priˈæmbəl/
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
express in words
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
a male human offspring
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
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 To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
termedverbUS /tɜːrmd/
past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
belonging to which person
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading To a certain extent the conversation in the preceding chapter must have served to inform the reader of the relative positions and prospects of those whom, without much preamble, we have introduced--to wit, the hero and heroine of our story.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Morley Ashton was the only son of a once wealthy merchant, whose failure and death had left him well-nigh penniless, to push his fortune in the world as he best could.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Ethel was now somewhere about her twentieth year, and though her face was not, perhaps, of that kind which is termed strictly beautiful, it would be difficult to say wherein a defect could be traced.
a late time of life
From this reading Thus, as agent of a Liverpool house, he had been, as he stated, broiling for the last three years on the western coast of Africa, with what success the reader has learned from his conversation with Ethel Basset, to whom he had now been engaged for four years.
