used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
absented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He welcomed the young man with affectionate heartiness.
(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 Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
babiesnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
for the reason that
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
blissfullyadverbUS /ˈblɪsfəli/
in a blissful manner
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
bombshellnounUS /ˈbɑːmʃel/
an entertainer who has a sensational effect
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
Denby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
drivesnounUS /draɪvz/
plural of “drive” — the act of applying force to propel something
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
heartinessnoun
active strength of body or mind
From this reading He welcomed the young man with affectionate heartiness.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He welcomed the young man with affectionate heartiness.
used to form the superlative
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
nursemaidnoun
a woman who is the custodian of children
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
and nothing more
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
preferringverbUS /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
on the contrary
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
secondlyadverbUS /ˈsekəndli/
in the second place
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
a male human offspring
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
systematicallyadverbUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪkli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
carry out
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading Because of all this, therefore, he was totally unprepared for what his son was bringing to him.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading He welcomed the young man with affectionate heartiness.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading AN ONLY SON Proud, and blissfully happy in his victory, Burke went to his father; and to his father (so far as the latter himself was concerned) he carried a bombshell.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For two reasons John Denby had failed to see what was taking place in his own home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading First, because it would never have occurred to him that his son could fall in love with a nursemaid; secondly, because he had systematically absented himself from the house during the most of his sister's visit, preferring to take his sister away with him for drives and walks rather than to stay in the noisy confusion of toys and babies that his home had become.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He welcomed the young man with affectionate heartiness.
