used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading The governor was absent when Barbara first arrived at his house.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading THE ACCEPTED INVITATION.
(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 Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The governor was absent when Barbara first arrived at his house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The governor was absent when Barbara first arrived at his house.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
completely unclothed
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
credentialsnounUS /krəˈdenʃəlz/
a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
the head of a state government
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The governor was absent when Barbara first arrived at his house.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
inmatenounUS /ˈɪnmeɪt/
one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading THE ACCEPTED INVITATION.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
immediately past
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
the literary culture
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
not any; not one
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a human being
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
Phipps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
recommendationnounUS /ˌrekəmənˈdeɪʃən/
something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
refinementnounUS /rəˈfaɪnmənt/
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
repulsionnoun
the force by which bodies repel one another
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
unusual or striking
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
term of address for a man
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford became the guest of Governor Phipps.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ACCEPTED INVITATION.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
accept gladly
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
at the time that
From this reading The governor was absent when Barbara first arrived at his house.
belonging to which person
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was a singular arrangement on both sides, for the strange lady had from the first retreated from the idea with evident repulsion, and Sir William was the last man in the world to receive a person under his roof about whose history the slightest doubt existed.
but in spite of that
From this reading Barbara offered no credentials of respectability--she submitted no letters--made no explanation; yet on the bare recommendation of unmistakable refinement, and a charm of manner that had all the power of fascination, she became more than a welcome inmate of the proud man's mansion.
