used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
a young person of either sex
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
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 It was early in September.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
brought together in one place
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
a young female
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
Greendale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
Greendale's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
IndianounUS /ˈɪndiə/
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was early in September.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
set afire or burning
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
Mal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
Mallett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
Occhio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
and nothing more
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading It was early in September.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
term of address for a man
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The conversation was general, and from the latest news from India had drifted into the subject of the Italian belief in the Mal Occhio.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was early in September.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A large party were assembled in the drawing room of Greendale, Sir John Greendale's picturesque old mansion house.
at the time that
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
which person or people
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
but in spite of that
From this reading The men had returned from shooting, and the guests were gathered in the drawing room; in the pleasant half hour of dusk when the lamps have not yet been lighted, though it is already too dark to read.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you believe in it, Captain Mallett?" asked Bertha, Sir John's only child, a girl of sixteen; who was nestled in an easy chair next to that in which the man she addressed was sitting.
