Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

later than; following

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

a professional cook

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

lean white flesh of important North Atlantic food fish; usually baked or poached

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

someone whose style is out of fashion

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

of the highest quality

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a woman host

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

a female domestic

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

not one, and not any

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a human being

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading They reminded each other of this promise, the day after their arrival, and grumbled.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

sullen or moody

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Their hostess had said she could not put up her guests' servants, but they might "count upon a first-rate maid in the house."

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were too few; and it needed but the first night's dinner to prove that the cook was third rate, though Lady Dauntrey carefully referred to him as the _chef_.

a Caucasian

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

which person or people

From this reading Servants had been engaged in advance for Lady Dauntrey by the agent who had let the house.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading In addition to this person, occasionally seen flitting about in a dingy white cap, there was a man to wait at table and open the door--a man, Dodo said, with the face of a sulky codfish; and a hawk-nosed, hollow-cheeked woman to "do the rooms" and act as maid to the ladies, none of the three having brought a maid of her own.