used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
acquisitionnounUS /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
how long something has existed
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
canvassverbUS /ˈkænvəs/
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
dependenciesnounUS /dɪˈpendənsiz/
plural of “dependency” — the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
detectingnounUS /dɪˈtektɪŋ/
a police investigation to determine the perpetrator
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
extendverbUS /ɪkˈstend/
extend in scope or range or area
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
gift-horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
house-agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
Lendrick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
engage in
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
the force of workers available
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
and nothing more
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
palatableadjectiveUS /ˈpælətəbəl/
acceptable to the taste or mind
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
reconcileverbUS /ˈrekənsaɪl/
make (one thing) compatible with
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
rentverbUS /rent/
let for money
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
cut with a saw
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
scruplesnounUS /ˈskruːpəlz/
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
Sewell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
term of address for a man
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
a male human offspring
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
styledverbUS /staɪld/
past form of “style” — designate by an identifying term
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
Swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
tenantedadjective
resided in; having tenants
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
precisely as stated
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its present occupant--“the acquisition to any neighborhood,” as the house-agent styled him--was Colonel Sewell.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To the Swan's Nest, very differently tenanted from what we saw it at the opening of our story, we have now to conduct our reader.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
which person or people
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The Colonel was, however, one of those men--they are numerous enough in this world--who canvass the mouth of the gift-horse, and have few scruples in detecting the signs of his age.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Lady Lendrick had taken the place for her son on finding that Sir William would not extend his hospitality to him.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading She had taken the precaution not merely to pay a year's rent in advance, but to make a number of changes in the house and its dependencies, which she hoped might render the residence more palatable to him, and reconcile him in some degree to its isolation and retirement.
