used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
in the past
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
Aston's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
bestowedverbUS /bɪˈstoʊd/
past form of “bestow” — present
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
BudnounUS /bʌd/
a partially opened flower
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was late at night.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late at night.
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 Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was late at night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
and nothing more
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
packingnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
TEMPERINGnounUS /ˈtempərɪŋ/
hardening something by heat treatment
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Late as it was, however, he had only left Nan, engaged at a similar occupation, less than half an hour ago.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading His visit to her had not been one of mere companionship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TEMPERING Bud was packing in his rooms at Aston's Hotel.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He had sat talking to her, and watching her with eyes of deep concern while, with infinite care, she bestowed those beautiful gowns which mean so much in a woman's life.
