used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
(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 It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
ComptonnounUS /ˈkɑːmptən/
United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and gamma rays and nuclear energy
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
Dennistoun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
Dennistoun's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading "Down-stairs" had a distinct meaning in the Compton vocabulary.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
Elinor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
destroyed or killed
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
intentsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtents/
plural of “intent” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
the sound of laughing
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading "Down-stairs" had a distinct meaning in the Compton vocabulary.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
sister-in-lawnounUS /ˈsɪstərɪnlɔː/
the sister of your spouse
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading It was spoken of with significance, and with a laugh, as something half hostile, half ridiculous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
a special situation
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
vocabularynounUS /voʊˈkæbjəleri/
a listing of the words used in some enterprise
From this reading "Down-stairs" had a distinct meaning in the Compton vocabulary.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A few days after this Philip Compton came in, in the afternoon, to the little room down-stairs which Mrs. Dennistoun had made into a sitting-room for herself.
which person or people
From this reading It was a very rare thing indeed for Mrs. Dennistoun's guest--who, indeed, was to all intents and purposes the master of the house, and had probably quite forgotten by this time that he was not in reality so--to pay a visit "down-stairs."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Elinor had gone out with her sister-in-law, and her mother was alone.
