used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
adjutantnounUS /ˈædʒətənt/
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
ailingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪlɪŋ/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
a youthful male person
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
brevitynounUS /ˈbrevəti/
the use of brief expressions
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
broken-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
coercedverbUS /koʊˈɜːrst/
past form of “coerce” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
curatenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
EgyptnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
set up or found
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading He found his father frail, broken-down, and evidently failing fast.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
LancelotnounUS /ˈlænsəlɑːt/
(Arthurian legend) one of the knights of the Round Table; friend of King Arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of Arthur's wife Guinevere
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
in the recent past
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
go away from a place
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
for more time
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
Lumley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
not any; not one
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
patronisedadjective
having patronage or clients
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Lancelot had been adjutant of his regiment, and acquired a manner of decision and brevity that was new.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
RevverbUS /rev/
increase the number of rotations per minute
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
a male human offspring
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
sunburntadjective
suffering from overexposure to direct sunlight
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Lately his health had suddenly become so uncertain that his son took three months’ leave, and returned from Egypt.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Rev. Adrian Lumley had been ailing for a considerable time; he was no longer able to undertake his parish duties, and compelled to employ a curate.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Captain Lumley arrived looking handsome, sunburnt, and cheery, and his sister Frances realised that he was no longer the boy that, as her younger brother, she had always managed, patronised, and coerced.
