used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading ON THE WEDDING EVE.
a social unit living together
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
promote over another
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
gaylyadverb
in a joyous manner
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
and nothing more
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
Legard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
the light of the Moon
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE WEDDING EVE.
on one occasion
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
passportnounUS /ˈpæspɔːrt/
any authorization to pass or go somewhere
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
recoiledverbUS /riˈkɔɪld/
past form of “recoil” — draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
RupertnounUS /ˈruːpərt/
English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
term of address for a man
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
with low volume
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
a male human offspring
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
surestadjectiveUS /ˈʃʊrɪst/
superlative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE WEDDING EVE.
Thetford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
TowersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
WanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading Wan as some spirit of the moonlight, she came softly in, just as they entered the dining-room; and her son presented his friend, Mr. Legard, at once.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading ON THE WEDDING EVE.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The family at Thetford Towers were a good deal surprised, a few hours later that day, by the unexpected appearance of Lady Thetford at dinner.
Weymore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Mrs. Weymore met him just now, and recoiled with a shriek, as though she had seen a ghost.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "His resemblance to the family will be the surest passport to your favor, mother mine," Sir Rupert said, gayly.
