Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

riding at a gait between a trot and a gallop

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

horned sheep of Devon; valued for mutton

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. (Hách dịch, độc đoán, kiêu kỳ.)

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

apprehended with certainty

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

engage in

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

past form of “motion” — show, express or direct through movement

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

not any; not one

From this reading "How is it that I can make no one hear?" she asked.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the local environment

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

in the direction of

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

lacking dignity

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

in or at the place that

From this reading He climbed down from the steps where he had been busy fastening up some roses, removed a nail from his mouth and came towards her.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had come cantering down the drive on a horse which, by comparison with the Exmoor ponies which every one rode in those parts, had seemed gigantic, and, finding a difficulty in making her presence known, had motioned to him with her whip.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you know if Mrs. Tallente is at home?"

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Tallente's first impressions of Jane Partington were that an exceedingly attractive but somewhat imperious young woman had surprised him in a most undignified position.