used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
react verbally
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
a female human offspring
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
divisible by two
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
a social unit living together
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
an established custom
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
the sound of laughing
From this reading It was followed by a hearty laugh from the assembled family.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
not any; not one
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
on the contrary
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
a male human offspring
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I should think he was--rather!” said Charley Bates, the son; and “Ask Nancy,” said Matilda, the eldest daughter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Is Mr. Curtis here?” said a voice at the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
at the time that
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But this question was one about which there was no difficulty.
which person or people
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The door was so near the sitting-room that every demand made there was easily heard, and even answered from within; and, indeed, Mrs. Bates was in the habit of calling out an answer when it happened to be beyond the powers of the daughter or small servant who opened.
