used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
acknowledgeverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒ/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
anew
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
(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 There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
eagerly desirous
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
avowedadjectiveUS /əˈvaʊd/
openly declared as such
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
Ferrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
the act of departing
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MAKING IT UP.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
engage in
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading MAKING IT UP.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
and nothing more
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
prodigalnounUS /ˈprɑːdɪɡəl/
a recklessly extravagant consumer
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
an angry dispute
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
rejoicingnounUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/
a feeling of great happiness
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
Thornsett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
unoccupiedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːkjəpaɪd/
not held or filled or in use
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MAKING IT UP.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading People did not seem to care about the vicinity of all those empty shells of homes.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Thornsett Edge had remained unoccupied, for there was some difficulty in letting a furnished house near a deserted village.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading But he had some days to wait before he could make his confession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
at the time that
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was rejoicing in the house of Robert Gates, as over a prodigal returned, when Richard Ferrier avowed that he had been mistaken all through in his quarrel with his brother, and that he was now only anxious to acknowledge his error, and to do his best to set things going again on the old footing.
