used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
(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 Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
for the reason that
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
congratulationnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən/
the act of acknowledging that someone has an occasion for celebration
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
decorumnounUS /dɪˈkɔːrəm/
propriety in manners and conduct
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
despatchverb
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
distractingverbUS /dɪˈstræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “distract” — draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
DovernounUS /ˈdoʊvər/
the capital of the state of Delaware
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
epistlenounUS /ɪˈpɪsəl/
a specially long, formal letter
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
set up or found
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
landladynounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/
a landlord who is a woman
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
the literary culture
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The news was true.
not any; not one
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
a brief written record
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
and nothing more
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
opensnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
receivesverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
reproachfuladjective
expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
only a very short time before
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
telegraphicadjective
of or relating to or transmitted by telegraph
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The news was true.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps only because it was Sunday, but there was no reproachful landlady, no distracting sound from above--all quiet, Sunday leisure, Sunday decorum, as of old.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He knew what was in it; but he read it as eagerly as if he expected to find something new in the mild little epistle, with its gentle attempt at congratulation.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHEN Vincent entered the house, the sensation of quiet in it struck him with a vague consolation which he could scarcely explain.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading When he went up hurriedly to his sitting-room, he found two letters lying on his table--one a telegraphic despatch from Dover, the other a dainty little note, which he opened as a man opens the first written communication he receives from the woman of all women.
