used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
(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 room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
BullnounUS /bʊl/
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A man of few words but much piety.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
comfortlessadjective
without comfort
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
CumberlandnounUS /ˈkʌmbərlənd/
English general; son of George II; fought unsuccessfully in the battle of Fontenoy (1721-1765)
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
deaconnounUS /ˈdiːkən/
a Protestant layman who assists the minister
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
districtnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A man of few words but much piety.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
forefingernounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/
the finger next to the thumb
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
funerealadjective
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
Gideon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
death of a person
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
horse-hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
lowlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
Magee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A man of few words but much piety.
mustinessnoun
the quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
not any; not one
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
something you have to do
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
a human being
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
pierceverbUS /pɪrs/
cut or make a way through
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading A man of few words but much piety.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
except for; apart from
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
savoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
seventhadjectiveUS /ˈsevənθ/
coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
unusedadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːzd/
not yet used or soiled
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
the words that are spoken
From this reading A man of few words but much piety.
