used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
Arthur'snounUS /ˈɑːrθərz/
possessive form of “arthur” — elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
at any time
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
formallyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrməli/
with official authorization
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
engage in
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
come together
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
presumeverbUS /prɪˈzuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
on the contrary
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
Rayburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
refusingverbUS /rəˈfjuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
shortenverbUS /ˈʃɔːrtən/
make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
term of address for a man
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
in or at that place or location
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
at the time that
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Vane could not help speaking formally; there was a strangeness about the situation which forced him to do so.
which person or people
From this reading You are the first man who has ever done so, and as you have come here as my father's guest, I may presume that it is not a personal objection."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "That would be impossible, Mr. Maxwell," replied the other, in a low, hesitating tone.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Mr. Rayburn," said Vane, "this is a rather curious sort of introduction, but I see that you are--I mean that I am quite satisfied that you must have some very good reason for refusing to shake hands with me.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I knew that I should meet you here when I accepted Sir Arthur's invitation; in fact, we--I mean I came here on purpose to meet you, and, to shorten matters, the reason why your father has left us alone, is that I have a very serious and I am afraid a very difficult confession to make to you."
