used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
the state of being absent
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
gotten under control
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
dearly loved
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
EugenianounUS /ˌjuːˈdʒiːniə/
tropical trees and shrubs with aromatic leaves and often valuable hard wood
From this reading Eugenia looked puzzled.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading "A near relative--" she said, inquiringly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
immediately past
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Eugenia looked puzzled.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
a brief written record
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
pocket-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Eugenia looked puzzled.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "A near relative--" she said, inquiringly.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "A near relative--" she said, inquiringly.
sincerelyadverbUS /sɪnˈsɪrli/
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
unavoidableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbəl/
impossible to avoid or evade
From this reading The reason given for her unavoidable absence was "the serious illness of a near relative."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He felt for his pocket-book, which contained the note.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading It was a mere civil expression of apology for being obliged at the last to give up thoughts of being present at the ceremony; it began "Dear Miss Laurence," and ended "Yours sincerely."
