used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
the state of being absent
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
(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 The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
any thing at all
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
Betsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
cheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
CONSULTATIONSnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “consultation” — a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading CONSULTATIONS.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
demeanornounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
set up or found
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
a social unit living together
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
and nothing more
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
LavenderadjectiveUS /ˈlævəndər/
of a pale purple color
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
easily agitated
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
not any; not one
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
by chance
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
on the contrary
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
express in speech
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
unfavorableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈfeɪvərəbəl/
not encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
unrestnounUS /ənˈrest/
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Alfred Barton had not remained was rather an unfavorable circumstance; but then, possibly, he had not found courage to speak.
at the time that
From this reading When Dr. Deane returned home, in season for supper, he found Martha and Betsy Lavender employed about their little household matters.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The Doctor could not at all guess, from her demeanor, whether anything had happened during his absence.
belonging to which person
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The former showed no lack of cheerfulness or composure, nor, on the other hand, any such nervous unrest as would be natural to a maiden whose hand had just been asked in marriage.
