used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
BINNEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading With the glad cry "Peter!"
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
embraceverbUS /emˈbreɪs/
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
exitnounUS /ˈeɡzɪt/
an opening that permits escape or release
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
set up or found
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading With the glad cry "Peter!"
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
Higginbotham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ME.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
a form of address for a man
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
opensnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
parlour-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading With the glad cry "Peter!"
REBUFFverbUS /rɪˈbʌf/
reject outright and bluntly
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
RECEIVESverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
vacationnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃən/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading BINNEY GIVES A DINNER AND RECEIVES A REBUFF Mr. Binney took advantage of his unexpectedly early arrival in town for the Christmas vacation to pay a surprise visit to Mrs. Higginbotham.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
which person or people
From this reading "Martha!" these two ardent souls were locked in a close embrace, which afforded great gratification to themselves, and not a little to the parlour-maid, who had delayed her exit in order to satisfy herself as to the warmth of their greeting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He found that good lady seated by her drawing-room fire as on the occasion of that momentous visit with the account of which this history opens.
