used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
bézique
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
true confidential information
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
an act that fails
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
frictionnounUS /ˈfrɪkʃən/
a state of conflict between persons
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading GENERAL SERVANT.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
not one, and not any
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
not divisible by two
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
a human being
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
participate in games or sport
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
preventiveadjectiveUS /prɪˈventɪv/
preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading GENERAL SERVANT.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
TheresanounUS /tərˈiːsə/
Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Polly took Bill to London during the first week in October and Theresa missed her at every turn.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
at the time that
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
which person or people
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no one to play bézique with Robert in the long dull evenings; Theresa hated cards, and though she tried to play from a sense of duty her skill was so small that her efforts were a failure.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was no one to talk and amuse him when he came in at odd times; Theresa was somewhat silent by nature, and she did not seem to have grasped the details of his work.
but in spite of that
From this reading It is an old saying, and doubtless a good one, that two is company and three none; yet the presence of a third person who stands somewhat apart from the other two is frequently a great assistance to domestic happiness and a great preventive of domestic friction.
