used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
not being in a specified place
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
apprisedverbUS /əˈpraɪzd/
past form of “apprise” — inform (somebody) of something
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
appropriatedverbUS /əˈproʊprieɪtɪd/
past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
commodiousadjectiveUS /kəˈmoʊdiəs/
large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
courtiernounUS /ˈkɔːrtiər/
an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
set up or found
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
a man of refinement
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
HastingsnounUS /ˈheɪstɪŋz/
United States architect who formed and important architectural firm with John Merven Carrere (1860-1929)
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
retinuenounUS /ˈretənuː/
the group following and attending to some important person
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
RiversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
ScalesnounUS /skeɪlz/
plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
Shene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
not in physical motion
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
up to a particular time
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Edward was then at the banquet, and Hastings was too experienced a courtier to disturb him at such a time.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
unfitadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪt/
below the required standards for a purpose
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
under normal conditions
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
waiting-lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On reaching his own house, Hastings learned that the court was still at Shene.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
at the time that
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He waited but till the retinue which his rank required were equipped and ready, and reached the court, from which of late he had found so many excuses to absent himself, before night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a mood unfit for companionship, he took his way to the apartments usually reserved for him, when a gentleman met him by the way, and apprised him, with great respect, that the Lord Scales and Rivers had already appropriated those apartments to the principal waiting-lady of his countess,--but that other chambers, if less commodious and spacious, were at his command.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading WORLD.