used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/
the condition of being secured to a base
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
businesslikeadjectiveUS /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/
exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
constancynounUS /ˈkɑːnstənsi/
the quality of being enduring and free from change or variation
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
delaysnounUS /dɪˈleɪz/
plural of “delay” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
disusedadjective
no longer in use
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
forebodingnounUS /fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋ/
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
set up or found
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
Gaunt's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
immediately past
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
Linsall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
engage in
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
MarshlandsnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃlændz/
plural of “marshland” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
Mathewson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
not one, and not any
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
many times at short intervals
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
and nothing more
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
purchasesnounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəsəz/
plural of “purchase” — the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
ReubennounUS /ˈruːbən/
(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel
From this reading Now that his mind had found an anchorage, Reuben was eager, businesslike, impatient of delays.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
Shepston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading The best bedroom, disused, too, was to be treated in like fashion.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
unrenewedadjective
not revived
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading On the morning after Linsall Fair he summoned his housekeeper, told her that Marshlands was to have a mistress at last, and gave orders that the disused parlour, full of faded hangings and rusty furniture unrenewed since his mother came here as a bride, should be turned out in readiness for the purchases he meant to make this week in Shepston.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
at the time that
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Whatever doubt Widow Mathewson might have of Gaunt’s constancy, he himself felt none.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His housekeeper said little; but she smiled often when his back was turned, and shook her head with the foreboding that was her only luxury.
