used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
doorstepsnounUS /ˈdɔːrsteps/
plural of “doorstep” — the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
DR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DR.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
every person
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
HORACEnounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading HORACE.
horrorsnounUS /ˈhɔːrərz/
plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
MansionsnounUS /ˈmæntʃənz/
plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
Rover'snounUS /ˈroʊvərz/
possessive form of “rover” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
Shepworth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
express in speech
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Rover's ball had been broken up by the discovery of the crime, and many of the guests, crowding down to Shepworth's flat, had seen a murdered man for the first time in their frivolous lives.
precisely as stated
From this reading As a rule, those in Society talk very little about such horrors; but on this occasion people, more or less fashionable, felt that the crime had been committed, so to speak, on their very doorsteps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next day everyone, from the man in the street to the lady in her drawing-room, was talking about the murder at Alexander Mansions.
