used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
apologiesnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiːz/
plural of “apology” — an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
breedingnounUS /ˈbriːdɪŋ/
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
brother-in-lawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/
a brother by marriage
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
civilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
conveyedverbUS /kənˈveɪd/
past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
emphasisnounUS /ˈemfəsəs/
special importance or significance
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
a social unit living together
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
Frogmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
imperfectadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrfɪkt/
not perfect; defective or inadequate
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
insistverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪst/
be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
Letitia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
long-lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
absolutely essential
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
on one occasion
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
Parke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
prematureadjectiveUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊr/
born after a gestation period of less than the normal time
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
a special situation
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading She had been much upset she allowed by the appearance of her long-lost brother quite unexpectedly on the previous night.
precisely as stated
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
at the time that
From this reading When Mrs. Parke came downstairs she exhausted herself in civilities to her old brother-in-law, and in apologies that she had not been there to receive him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The explanation was very well given and very plausible, but there was one thing upon which Letitia insisted too much, and that was the fact that she had not expected Lord Frogmore until the afternoon.
which person or people
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A brother who had given the family great anxiety, and whom it was most necessary to send home at once for family reasons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her imperfect breeding and still more imperfect taste made her insist upon this with an emphasis which conveyed a reproach to Lord Frogmore for his premature arrival.
