adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
ante-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
bedroomnounUS /ˈbedruːm/
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
communicatingnounUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪŋ/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
conditionnounUS /kənˈdɪʃən/
a state at a particular time
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
conjectured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
consultationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
countessnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
earlnounUS /ɜːrl/
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
earl'snounUS /ɜːrlz/
possessive form of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
frameverbUS /freɪm/
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
ladyshipnoun
a title used to address any peeress except a duchess
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
lordshipnounUS /ˈlɔːrdʃɪp/
a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
naturallyadverbUS /ˈnætʃərəli/
as might be expected
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
Ostermore's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
physicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɪzɪkəl/
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
Rotherby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And so it had--the dangerous condition of the earl's political, if not physical, affairs.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
unreasonableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznəbəl/
not reasonable; not showing good judgment
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To her ladyship and her son, the matter of their own future was of greater gravity than the matter of whether his lordship lived or died--which, whatever it may be, is not unreasonable.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
window-seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her ladyship occupied the window-seat; Rotherby stood beside her, leaning slightly against the frame of the open window.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the ante-room communicating with Lord Ostermore's bedroom the countess was in consultation with Rotherby, who had been summoned by his mother when my lord was stricken.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Their conversation was earnest and conducted in a low key, and one would naturally have conjectured that it had for subject the dangerous condition of the earl.
