used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
advisernounUS /ædˈvaɪzər/
an expert who gives advice
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
matters of personal concern
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
in addition
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
Barclay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
for the reason that
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
circumventverbUS /ˌsɜːrkəmˈvent/
surround so as to force to give up
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
crooknounUS /krʊk/
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
distrustedverbUS /dɪˈstrʌstəd/
past form of “distrust” — regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
Fullarton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
fundamentallyadverbUS /ˌfʌndəˈmentəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
Gilbert'snounUS /ˈɡɪlbərts/
possessive form of “gilbert” — a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
GrannynounUS /ˈɡræni/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
hookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
interventionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
LairdnounUS /lerd/
a landowner
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/
past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
not any; not one
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
ostensiblyadverbUS /ɑːˈstensəbli/
from appearances alone
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
a human being
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
pryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
ROYALadjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
a person, without saying who
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
Speid's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
a special situation
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a large idea for her to have conceived, because she scarcely knew where he was and had no idea how he might be reached.
WHILEconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The matter was intimate and needed the intervention of someone upon whom she could depend.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading As the Laird of Fullarton was uncle to the person she wished to circumvent, he also was an impossible adviser.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She understood that Barclay had means of communication with him, but, since the visit he had paid her, ostensibly to examine her mended roof, and, really to pry into Speid’s affairs, she had distrusted him fundamentally.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A ROYAL VISIT WHILE Granny had shaken the curtains in Gilbert’s bedroom her mind had worked as hard as her hands; there was no doubt in it of one thing; namely, that, by hook or by crook, he must be brought home.
