used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Aunt Leonora was the grandmother of Clara!
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
AstornounUS /ˈæstər/
British politician (born in the United States) who was the first woman to sit in the British House of Commons (1879-1964)
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/
for a short time
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
Charlton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading And Aunt Leonora was the grandmother of Clara!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
Leonora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
a room where books are kept
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
Netty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
parlorsnounUS /ˈpɑːrlərz/
plural of “parlor” — reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
Pompilards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
proofsnounUS /pruːfs/
plural of “proof” — any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
relationshipnounUS /riˈleɪʃənʃɪp/
a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
shroudverbUS /ʃraʊd/
cover as if with a shroud
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
shuttleverbUS /ˈʃʌtəl/
travel back and forth between two points
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
moving very fast
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Vance then briefly presented his proofs of the relationship.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
a just detectable amount
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
Vance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some hours previously, Vance had introduced Clara to her nearest relatives, the Pompilards; but before telling them her true name he had asked them to trace a resemblance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And Aunt Leonora was the grandmother of Clara!
weavesnounUS /wiːvz/
plural of “weave” — pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Instantly Netty had exclaimed: “Why, mother, it is the face you have at home in the portrait of Aunt Leonora.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “How swift the shuttle flies that weaves thy shroud!”—_Young._ On the evening of the day of the encounter in Charlton’s library, some of the principal persons of our story were assembled in one of the private parlors of the Astor House in New York.