used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
(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 There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
a social unit living together
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
fiancée's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
friend'snounUS /frendz/
possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
Gifford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm your man," he responded promptly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
Kelson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
held up in the air
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "I'm your man," he responded promptly.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading "I'm your man," he responded promptly.
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
pursuancenoun
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
qualmnoun
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
respondedverbUS /rɪˈspɑːndɪd/
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading "I'm your man," he responded promptly.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
thinlyadverbUS /ˈθɪnli/
without force or sincere effort
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
Tredworths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
a source of difficulty
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Kelson had returned from the Tredworths in high spirits, the news he carried there having lifted a weight off his fiancée's mind and indeed restored the happiness of the whole family.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There was no cloud over the engagement now, and they could all look forward to the marriage without a qualm.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading If Kelson might, in ordinary circumstances, have wondered at the motive for his friend's proposal, which was but thinly disguised, he was in too happy a state of preoccupation to trouble his head about it.
Wynford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN EXPLANATION In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should call at Wynford Place on the next day.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'm your man," he responded promptly.
