used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
clippingnounUS /ˈklɪpɪŋ/
an excerpt cut from a newspaper or magazine
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
placed crosswise
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
dinner-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
dispersedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɜːrst/
distributed or spread over a considerable extent
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
hedgesnounUS /ˈhedʒɪz/
plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
Heredith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
moat-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
Nepcote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
superintending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The moat-house possessed a competent housekeeper and an excellent staff of servants, but Miss Heredith believed in seeing to things herself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was her daily custom to devote a portion of the time between tea and dinner to superintending the arrangements for the latter meal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
in the direction of
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Miss Heredith turned her steps towards the house.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On her way to the house she caught sight of an under gardener clipping one of the ornamental terrace hedges on the south side of the house, and she crossed over to him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The guests had dispersed while she was saying farewell to Captain Nepcote, and nothing further was expected of her as a hostess until dinner-time.
