used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
advancesnounUS /ədˈvænsəz/
plural of “advance” — a movement forward
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
christenedverbUS /ˈkrɪsənd/
past form of “christen” — administer baptism to
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
cordialadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
family'snounUS /ˈfæməliz/
possessive form of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
set up or found
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
brought together in one place
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
a young female
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
MarineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
and nothing more
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
ParadenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
playfuladjectiveUS /ˈpleɪfəl/
full of fun and high spirits
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
rocking-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
in the near future
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading "The only one?" he asked, as the noise subsided.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
the act of using
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went early in the afternoon, and he found her more cordial than on Marine Parade, though he gathered that she had been unprepared to see him so soon.
at the time that
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At his playful advances it began to cry, and it wailed continuously while he paid it the usual compliments, and heard that it was fifteen months old, and christened "Vivian."
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was shown into a small back parlour reserved for the family's own use, and when he entered she was in a rocking-chair with her baby on her lap.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes," she said, "I lost my little girl.
