used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNWELCOME INTRUDER.
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
Castlemaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
Castlemaine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
accept an excuse for
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
Greylands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
INTRUDERnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading AN UNWELCOME INTRUDER.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
pleanounUS /pliː/
a humble request for help from someone in authority
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
UNWELCOMEadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading AN UNWELCOME INTRUDER.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
precisely as stated
From this reading However, he never failed to put it off until evening upon the very slightest plea of excuse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The usual dinner hour at Greylands' Rest was half past one o'clock.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mr. Castlemaine would have preferred a late dinner--but circumstances are sometimes stronger than we are.
a late time of life
From this reading Some years before the close of old Anthony Castlemaine's life, his health failed.
