used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
arisenverbUS /ərˈɪzən/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
bondagenounUS /ˈbɑːndɪdʒ/
the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
book-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
cloister-arch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
deckedverbUS /dekt/
past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
a quick look
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
INQUISITORnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwɪzətər/
a questioner who is excessively harsh
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
for more time
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
engage in
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
not any; not one
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
splashedadjectiveUS /splæʃt/
(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
typewriternounUS /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/
hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
the act of using
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
warmlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːrmli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading The morning sun shone warmly upon it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
in or at the place that
From this reading She stood before him in the book-lined study where so many of her hours had been spent in bitter bondage of body and spirit.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The table with its typewriter was in its accustomed position in the window, and beyond the window she caught a glimpse of the grey stone of the cloister-arch, no longer decked in purple but splashed with the crimson of autumn leaves.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, that is so,” Frances said, “if you care to make use of me.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE INQUISITOR “I have been given to understand,” said the Bishop, “that circumstances have arisen which have made you not unwilling to return to me for a time.”
