used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A week had elapsed.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ANGEL VISITS PYLE’S PARK.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading AN ANGEL VISITS PYLE’S PARK.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading A week had elapsed.
Enoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A week had elapsed.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
heroicallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈroʊɪkli/
in a heroic manner
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
ingrainedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈɡreɪnd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
as might be expected
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading AN ANGEL VISITS PYLE’S PARK.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
PylenounUS /paɪl/
United States writer and illustrator of children's books (1853-1911)
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
PYLE'SnounUS /paɪlz/
possessive form of “pyle” — United States writer and illustrator of children's books (1853-1911)
From this reading AN ANGEL VISITS PYLE’S PARK.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
a special situation
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The custom did not come naturally to them, but they believed it was the proper thing, and so they adopted it.
the act of testing something
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
VISITSnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading AN ANGEL VISITS PYLE’S PARK.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week had elapsed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the drawing-room at Pyle’s Park, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pyle were having tea.
which person or people
From this reading It was particularly a trial to the old man, who, since his retirement, had been obliged to fight hard against an ingrained preference for shirt sleeves and slippers; but he had denied himself heroically, for the most part.
