used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
antiquarynoun
an expert or collector of antiquities
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
bulkyadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlki/
of large size for its weight
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
a female human offspring
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
epistlenounUS /ɪˈpɪsəl/
a specially long, formal letter
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
at any time
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Full well she knew the handwriting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading Full well she knew the handwriting.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
host'snounUS /hoʊsts/
possessive form of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
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 Full well she knew the handwriting.
immediately past
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
for more time
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
much-delayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
not any; not one
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
Oldstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
on one occasion
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was addressed to Mr. Oldstone, as usual, so she placed it in his hands.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week had passed since our last chapter.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Full well she knew the handwriting.
at the time that
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She appeared more radiant than ever, and held up a bulky epistle with a foreign post mark.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Our antiquary, finding himself once more alone, had brought out his writing materials, determined no longer to put off his much-delayed letter to his friend, when a smart tap at the door, and immediately afterwards the entry of our host's pretty daughter, caused him to look up.
