used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ASTONISHED VIRGINIAN.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading AN ASTONISHED VIRGINIAN.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
for the reason that
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
Bunley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
consumingadjectiveUS /kənˈsuːmɪŋ/
very strong; urgently felt
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
engagementsnounUS /enˈɡeɪdʒmənts/
plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
entreated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
at any time
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
every person
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
a social unit living together
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
set up or found
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
a young female
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
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 Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
go away from a place
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
engage in
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
not any; not one
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
and nothing more
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
planternounUS /ˈplæntər/
the owner or manager of a plantation
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
runawaynounUS /ˈrʌnəweɪ/
an easy victory
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
a male human offspring
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
unpopularadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈpɑːpjələr/
regarded with disfavor or lacking general approval
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
verifiedadjectiveUS /ˈverəfaɪd/
proved to be true
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
precisely as stated
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
VIRGINIANnounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjən/
a native or resident of Virginia
From this reading AN ASTONISHED VIRGINIAN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
(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 The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
which person or people
From this reading The most plausible theory ever advanced on the subject came from the former proprietor of the Barton House, who said that Bunley, happening to be traveling that way, had found the brandy at the Barton House so good that he hadn’t the heart to leave it.
belonging to which person
From this reading He reported--and his report was afterward verified--that he was the son of a Virginia planter, and was unpopular at home because he had made a runaway match with a splendid girl, whose only fault was that her family did not rank very high.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why old Bunley had made Barton his place of residence nobody knew.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
a late time of life
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading The brandy lasted so long that old Bunley--then twenty years younger--while consuming it became acquainted with nearly everybody in the town; and as he had no engagements that restrained him from making himself agreeable, he found himself well liked, and entreated to make his home at Barton.
