used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
(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 Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
in addition
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
any thing at all
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
DEBTnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
wanted intensely
From this reading Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
a social unit living together
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
FrazernounUS /ˈfreɪzər/
English social anthropologist noted for studies of primitive religion and magic (1854-1941)
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
for more time
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
take the midday meal
From this reading Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
engage in
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
social deportment
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
metaphoricaladjectiveUS /ˌmetəˈfɔːrɪkəl/
expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
not any; not one
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
Polkington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
Polkington's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
presentableadjectiveUS /prəˈzentəbəl/
fit to be seen
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Lunch, too, was all that could be desired.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
Violet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DEBT Violet's engagement was an accepted fact.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Polkington's manners were always gracious, and to-day she had a charming air of taking Richard into the family--after having shut all the doors, actual and metaphorical, which led to anything real and personal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Frazer came to see the Captain, who received him in the dining-room--the combined ingenuity of the family could not make the down-stairs room presentable.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The interview was short, but satisfactory; so also was the one with Mrs. Polkington which followed; with Violet it was longer, but, no doubt, equally satisfactory.
