used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
affirmativeadjectiveUS /əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
affirming or giving assent
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
react verbally
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
Atkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
avowedlyadverbUS /əˈvaʊədli/
by open declaration
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
eat an early morning meal
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
dearly loved
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
having or given a form or shape
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
a man of refinement
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
HAVENnounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading NEW HAVEN.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
a woman of refinement
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
a form of address for a man
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading NEW HAVEN.
not any; not one
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
requestingverbUS /rɪˈkwestɪŋ/
-ing form of “request” — express the need or desire for
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
Richman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
Identical; not different.
From this reading TO THE SAME.
Sanford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
express in words
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
only a very short time before
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
to a sufficient degree
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
express a supposition
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TO THE SAME.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO THE SAME.
warrantnounUS /ˈwɔːrənt/
a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
From this reading I showed the billet to Mrs. Richman, saying, "I have not much acquaintance with this gentleman, madam; but I suppose his character sufficiently respectable to warrant an affirmative answer."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
at the time that
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "He is a gay man, my dear, to say no more; and such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure."
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had scarcely seated myself at the breakfast table this morning when a servant entered with a card of invitation from Major Sanford, requesting the happiness of my hand this evening at a ball given by Mr. Atkins, about three miles from this.
