used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
avoidancenounUS /əˈvɔɪdəns/
deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
Chudleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
dalliedverbUS /ˈdælid/
inflected form of “dally” — behave carelessly or indifferently
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
endurancenounUS /ˈendərəns/
the power to withstand hardship or stress
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
and nothing more
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
LeadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading The Leaden Seal.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
loitered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
Prendergast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
SealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading The Leaden Seal.
semi-stupefied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
in the near future
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Leaden Seal.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He loitered about his room; he dallied with the time; he dared not face the cold silent house, the servants, who looked at him with natural curiosity, and, as he thought, avoidance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
at the time that
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
which person or people
From this reading This he learned from the servant who answered his bell; and he had directed that she should be admitted as soon as she arrived.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
Wilmot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Chudleigh Wilmot arose on the following morning, with the semi-stupefied feeling of a man on whom a great calamity has just fallen, not the least painful portion of the task, not the least difficult part of the endurance that lay before him was the inevitable interview with his dead wife's friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mrs. Prendergast had requested that he would receive her early.
