used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
placed in a grave
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
developement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
eligibleadjectiveUS /ˈelədʒəbəl/
qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
set up or found
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
to an extreme degree
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
a social unit living together
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
first-rateadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrˈstreɪt/
of the highest quality
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
in a gradual manner
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
itinerantnounUS /aɪˈtɪnərənt/
a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
lidnounUS /lɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
mellifluousadjective
pleasing to the ear
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
metropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
used to form the superlative
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
negligentlyadverbUS /ˈneɡlɪdʒəntli/
in a negligent manner
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
plumpadjectiveUS /plʌmp/
sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
by chance
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
propositionnounUS /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
established beyond doubt
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
saucepannounUS /ˈsɔːspæn/
a deep pan with a handle; used for stewing or boiling
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
Scraggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
sentimentaladjectiveUS /ˌsentəˈmentəl/
given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
strainsnounUS /streɪnz/
plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
sufficeverbUS /səˈfaɪs/
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
vowsnounUS /vaʊz/
plural of “vow” — a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Molly Scraggs was a cook in a first-rate family, in the most aristocratic quarter of the metropolis.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The master and mistress were abroad, and Molly had nothing to do but to indulge her thoughts; and, buried as she was in the pleasant gloom and quiet of an underground kitchen, nothing could possibly be more favourable to their developement.
at the time that
From this reading In this eligible situation and temper for receiving soft impressions, she sat negligently rocking herself in her chair, and polishing the lid of a copper saucepan! when the sweet, mellifluous strains of an itinerant band struck gently upon the drum of her ear.
which person or people
From this reading She was moreover exceedingly plump, tender, and sentimental, and had had a lover, who had proved false to his vows.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading One most true and extraordinary occurrence will suffice to establish the truth of our proposition beyond a doubt.
