used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
admirablyadverbUS /ˈædmərəbli/
in an admirable manner
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
(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 Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/
the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
CarmichaelnounUS /ˈkɑːrmaɪkəl/
United States songwriter (1899-1981)
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
Cheriton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
CrownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
Dalbrook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
devicenounUS /dɪˈvaɪs/
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
without deviation
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
divertingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
Dorchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
Godfrey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
the act of departing
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
destroyed or killed
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
of great significance or value
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
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 Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
immediately past
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
take the midday meal
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
engage in
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
morbidadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrbəd/
suggesting an unhealthy mental state
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
term of address for a man
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
Theodore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
up to a particular time
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
toddles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading His father told him laughingly that he might have gone a week earlier had he really wanted to go.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
a Caucasian
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
which person or people
From this reading She left Dorchester in high spirits, after having invited her cousins to Cheriton for tennis and lunch on the following day, and after having bade an affectionate good-bye to Theodore, who was to start on his holiday directly he could make an end of some important business now in hand.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Poor little life that toddles half an hour, Crowned with a flower or two, and there an end—” Sir Godfrey’s device for diverting his wife’s mind from the morbid fancies of the previous night answered admirably.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Lady Carmichael had lingered in the homely old house till afternoon tea, had lingered over her tea, telling her cousins all they wanted to know about smart society in London, that one central spot of bright white light in the dull, grey mass of a busy, commonplace world, of which she knew so much, and of which they knew so little.
but in spite of that
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I believe there must be some attraction for you in Dorchester, though I am not clever enough to find out what it is,” said Mr. Dalbrook, innocently, “for you have been talking about going away for the last fortnight, and yet you don’t go.”
