used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
applaudverbUS /əˈplɔːd/
clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
Clopton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
Dennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
a feeling of excitement
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
ErinnounUS /ˈerɪn/
an early name of Ireland that is now used in poetry
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
at any time
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
accept an excuse for
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
set up or found
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
MSS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
mustyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌsti/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE OLD SETTLE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
and nothing more
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading THE OLD SETTLE.
ShakespeareannounUS /ˌʃeɪkˈspɪriən/
a Shakespearean scholar
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
sharingnounUS /ˈʃerɪŋ/
using or enjoying something jointly with others
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading A question the folly of which only a high state of irritation could excuse.
carry out
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OLD SETTLE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
interact in a certain way
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why didn’t Mr. Erin select _him_ to take notes for him from the musty documents?
WILLIAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILLIAM HENRY, far from sharing his father’s enthusiasm at any time, was on this occasion less than ever inclined to applaud it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Clopton House should be found full of Shakespearean MSS., it would not afford him half the pleasure he would have derived from a _tête-à-tête_ with his cousin Margaret; a treat which, it seemed, was to be thrown away upon Frank Dennis.
