used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
ailsnounUS /eɪlz/
plural of “ail” — aromatic bulb used as seasoning
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
for the reason that
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
Chantrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
rid of obstructions
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
take in solid food
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
opinion or judgment
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
fulfilverbUS /fʊlˈfɪl/
put in effect
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
Harford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
Janet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
not one and not the other of two
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
not any; not one
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
not used up
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
move upward
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
a male human offspring
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
carry out
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
at the time that
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
in or at the place that
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
a Caucasian
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Edward had spoken to her of his uncle’s wishes, and begged her to fulfil them by remaining on in the old house as his and Mary’s guest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Elizabeth Chantrey returned to Market Harford, she did so with quite a clear understanding of the difficulties that lay before her.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Apparently it never occurred to him that the situation presented any difficulty, or that few women would find it agreeable to be guest where they had been mistress.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading “I have no rest when I would sleep, No peace when I would rise, Because of Janet’s yellow hair, Because of Janet’s eyes.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What ails you, Andrew, my man’s son, That you should look so white, That you should neither eat by day, Nor take your rest by night?”
