used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
ASCOTnounUS /ˈæskɑːt/
a cravat with wide square ends; secured with an ornamental pin
From this reading TO LUNCH WITH LORD ASCOT.
Audley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
without stop or interruption
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
dearly loved
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
deucenounUS /duːs/
a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game
From this reading "The deuce!"
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
being one more than ten
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
set up or found
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
interruptverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpt/
make a break in
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
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 "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
a polite name for any woman
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading TO LUNCH WITH LORD ASCOT.
take the midday meal
From this reading TO LUNCH WITH LORD ASCOT.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
Saltirenoun
a cross resembling the letter x, with diagonal bars of equal length
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
Identical; not different.
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO LUNCH WITH LORD ASCOT.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "My dear James," said she, "what is the matter?"
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading That same day, Lord Saltire and Lady Ascot were sitting in the drawing-room window, in South Audley Street, alone.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TO LUNCH WITH LORD ASCOT.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had come in, as his custom was, about eleven, and found her reading her great old Bible; he had taken up the paper and read away for a time, saying that he would not interrupt her; she, too, had seemed glad to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ conversation, and had continued; but, after a few minutes, he had dropped the paper, and cried--
