used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "We will talk of business."
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
cozyadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊzi/
enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
one or the other of two
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
a movement into or inward
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
set up or found
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a man of refinement
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
a room where books are kept
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
patronessnounUS /ˈpeɪtrənəs/
a woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "We will talk of business."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
valisenoun
a small overnight bag for short trips
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We will talk of business."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady.
at the time that
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.
which person or people
From this reading "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "We will talk of business."
in the company of; together with
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
the act of creating written works
From this reading In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
