used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHASING A SHADOW.
advisernounUS /ædˈvaɪzər/
an expert who gives advice
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
matters of personal concern
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
a quantity of money
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
for the reason that
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
confined by bonds
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
Brownlow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
CHASINGverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “chase” — go after with the intent to catch
From this reading CHASING A SHADOW.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
a state at a particular time
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
without stop or interruption
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
hard-working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
IsabellanounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/
the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
middle-age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
niecesnounUS /ˈniːsɪz/
plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
only a very short time before
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading CHASING A SHADOW.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
solicitornounUS /səˈlɪsətər/
a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But, in spite of his business and its importance, he felt bound to devote a certain amount of time to the affairs of the late Miss Isabella Brownlow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. James Brownlow was a busy man; a hard-working solicitor, partner in an old firm, and a good firm though scarcely a rich one.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It is true she was not a very near relation, but he had been legal adviser as well as relation, and moreover, the nieces she left seemed to be in a particularly solitary condition.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He was not rich himself; he had worked hard all his life to attain moderate comfort, and he continued to work hard, though he was now past middle-age, partly to maintain the same standard of comfort, and partly because he cherished a delusion that nothing in the firm could go on without him.
