used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
Bursfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
Decie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
implicitlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈplɪsətli/
without doubting or questioning
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
Law'snounUS /lɔːz/
possessive form of “law” — the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
engage in
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
a particular point in time
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
a form of address for a man
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
Standerton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
TerencenounUS /ˈterəns/
dramatist of ancient Rome (born in Greece) whose comedies were based on works by Menander (190?-159 BC)
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
