used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
ARNOLDnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/
English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
detrimentnounUS /ˈdetrəmənt/
a damage or loss
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
without deviation
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
divisible by two
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
flamboyantadjectiveUS /flæmˈbɔɪənt/
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
groundsnounUS /ɡraʊndz/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
Hampstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
handsomelyadverbUS /ˈhænsəmli/
in an attractively handsome manner
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
inconsiderableadjective
too small or unimportant to merit attention
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
LodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
major-domonoun
the chief steward or butler of a great household
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
parlormaidnoun
a maid in a private home whose duties are to care for the parlor and the table and to answer the door
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
PelhamnounUS /ˈpeləm/
a bit with a bar mouthpiece that is designed to combine a curb and snaffle
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
having a point
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
sad-facedadjective
having a face with a sad expression
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
SCENTSnounUS /sents/
plural of “scent” — a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
a particular situation
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The house was even larger than he had expected, and was handsomely furnished in an extremely subdued style.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY From the first, nothing about that evening was as Arnold had expected.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The neighborhood was entirely strange to him and he was surprised to find that the house which was pointed out to him by a policeman was situated in grounds of not inconsiderable extent, and approached by a short drive.
which person or people
From this reading Directly he rang the bell he was admitted not by a flamboyant parlormaid but by a quiet, sad-faced butler in plain, dark livery, who might have been major-domo to a duke.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He took the tube to Hampstead station, and, the night being dry, he walked to Pelham Lodge without detriment to his carefully polished patent shoes.
