used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
adoringadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrɪŋ/
showing adoration
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
allowingverbUS /əˈlaʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
AMÉDÉ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
Chavasse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
D'ORLÉANS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
an old word for “before”
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
extricateverbUS /ˈekstrəkeɪt/
release from entanglement of difficulty
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
opinion or judgment
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
for more time
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
Marmaduke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
a particular point in time
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
not any; not one
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
not one, and not any
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
and nothing more
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
peremptorilyadverb
in an imperative and commanding manner
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "One moment, master," she said loudly and peremptorily.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
term of address for a man
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For a moment--a second or two only--the stranger appeared to hesitate.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PRINCE AMÉDÉ D'ORLÉANS At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels, I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke's doorstep at ten o'clock at night, and in company with his ward."
