used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
acknowledgedadjectiveUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒd/
recognized or made known or admitted
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
give a benediction to
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
Burge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
Burge's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
correctively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
accept an excuse for
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
HazeladjectiveUS /ˈheɪzəl/
of a light brown or yellowish brown color
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
inviteverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪt/
increase the likelihood of
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
patronnounUS /ˈpeɪtrən/
a regular customer
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
preservingverbUS /prəˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “preserve” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
recognitionnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
an educational institution
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
stifflyadverbUS /ˈstɪfli/
in a stiff manner
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
Thorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
visitor'snounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
possessive form of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and bowed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceiling, as if expecting to read it there.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Oh, I know--but he had been so busy over the preparations, and he hoped you would come and look on; and the pony carriage will be here to fetch you at twelve."
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure--really--I am greatly obliged to Mr Burge--" "Mr William Forth Burge," said Miss Burge correctively.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"
