absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
anew
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
from appearances alone
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
Bertram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
chatelaine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
Devereux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
at any time
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
horse'snounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
indisposedadjective
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
intimationnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃən/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
pattedverbUS /ˈpætɪd/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
Pollie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
seizurenounUS /ˈsiːʒər/
a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading He failed to understand or account for the sudden seizure.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
(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 She had walked with him to the outer gate in the morning, had patted his horse's neck, apparently as well and handsome as ever she was in her life.
at the time that
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
which person or people
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
in the company of; together with
From this reading He addressed himself mechanically to his solitary meal, but after an absent, desultory fashion and with less than his ordinary appetite.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Why then this astonishing change for the worse?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Bertram Devereux, who had waited patiently for the chatelaine's appearance, received the intimation that she would not appear again that night, that Miss Pollie being indisposed, he was requested to order in dinner, he was considerably astonished.
