used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
by-the-bye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
conferencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfərəns/
a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
disburthen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
full of life and energy
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
Montacute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
Mountjoys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
propheticadjectiveUS /prəˈfetɪk/
foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
ProposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
on the contrary
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
possessing material wealth
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
a male human offspring
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
speedilyadverbUS /ˈspiːdəli/
with speed
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading A smile of satisfaction flitted over her face, as she recalled the pleasant cause of the conference that was now taking place between the father and the son.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
precisely as stated
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading _A Strange Proposal_ THE week of celebration was over: some few guests remained, near relatives, and not very rich, the Montacute Mountjoys, for example.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Lady Eleanor was rather agreeable, and the duchess a little liked her; there were four daughters, to be sure, and not very lively, but they sang in the evening.
at the time that
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They came from a considerable distance, and the duke insisted that they should remain until the duchess went to London, an event, by-the-bye, which was to occur very speedily.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a bright morning, and the duchess, with a heart prophetic of happiness, wished to disburthen it to her son; she meant to propose to him, therefore, to be her companion in her walk, and she had sent to his rooms in vain, and was inquiring after him, when she was informed that ‘Lord Montacute was with his Grace.’
