used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
matters of personal concern
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
from appearances alone
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
BrooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
Darcy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
Darcy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
at any time
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
destroyed or killed
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
and nothing more
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
MeadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
not any; not one
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
and nothing more
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
not often
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
SherwoodnounUS /ˈʃɜːrwʊd/
United States playwright (1896-1955)
From this reading Darcy Sherwood had dropped out of Meadow Brook life as completely, apparently, as if he had died.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
tripsnounUS /trɪps/
plural of “trip” — a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
precisely as stated
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His old friends and associates did not realize it at first, thought he was gone on one of his short trips, or had taken on a new operation of some sort.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If they did they were surprised to find that, although he answered them pleasantly, they had gained very little real knowledge of what they had started out to investigate.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
which person or people
From this reading Nobody ever seemed to know just what Darcy’s business was, only that nobody ever spoke of him as one who had no business.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was one who kept his mouth shut about his own affairs, and much as his friends would have liked to ask him questions, they seldom did.
