used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
ClarencenounUS /ˈklerəns/
a closed carriage with four wheels and seats for four passengers
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
dearly loved
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
engrossverbUS /ɪnˈɡroʊs/
devote (oneself) fully to
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
usually; as a rule
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
a man of refinement
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
Haverfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Will you hear the letter?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
immediately past
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Will you hear the letter?
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
LindennounUS /ˈlɪndən/
soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
motley-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
required or under orders
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Will you hear the letter?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have before met in the forest.--As You Like It.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Will you hear the letter?
in the company of; together with
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
an affirmative
From this reading Let me see,--ay, three,--yes, I have been exactly three days married!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Will you hear the letter?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A morning or two after the conversation with which our last chapter concluded, Clarence received the following letter from the Duke of Haverfield:-- Your letter, my dear Linden, would have been answered before, but for an occurrence which is generally supposed to engross the whole attention of the persons concerned in it.
