used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
(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 For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
bedroomsnounUS /ˈbedruːmz/
plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
remove the dust from
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
to an extreme degree
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
imaginableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənəbəl/
capable of being imagined
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
and nothing more
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
engage in
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
ManornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
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 At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
rectorynounUS /ˈrektəri/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
Rowland's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
SPOT-EAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPOT-EAR.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
a special situation
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom.
Tristrams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
soldiers collectively
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
someone who visits
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover their expenses, with nothing at all to put by.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading At the Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They were expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her comfort.
