used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
cause to be bored
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
broughamnounUS /ˈbruːɡəm/
light carriage; pulled by a single horse
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
buyingnounUS /ˈbaɪɪŋ/
the act of buying
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
a young person of either sex
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
carefully weighed
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
consoleverbUS /ˈkɑːnsoʊl/
give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
demi-living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
dressing-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
elatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
divisible by two
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading HOW THE RUSSELLS GOT ON.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
Hampstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
heroismnounUS /ˈheroʊɪzəm/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE RUSSELLS GOT ON.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
JocknounUS /dʒɑːk/
a person trained to compete in sports
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
no person; not anyone
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOW THE RUSSELLS GOT ON.
the act of departing politely
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
possessionsnounUS /pəˈzeʃənz/
plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
Randolph's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
RUSSELLS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE RUSSELLS GOT ON.
school-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
carry out
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THE RUSSELLS GOT ON.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
a special situation
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
trivialities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lucy was permitted to take Jock to Hampstead by herself in Lady Randolph’s brougham next day.
look attentively
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
at the time that
From this reading He had a watch too, which was more than property, which was a kind of companion, a demi-living thing to console him when he should be dull; and the child bore up with great heroism in face of the inevitable parting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had spent the morning buying things for him, a school-boy dressing-case, a little desk, various books, and an umbrella--possessions which, up to this time, had been considered too valuable for the child, of whom nobody took any special care.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He went to his new home with such an abundance of property as elated even Jock, though he was not given to trivialities.
