used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
(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 "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
a movement into or inward
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
etiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
Higgs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
hungrilyadverbUS /ˈhʌŋɡrəli/
in the manner of someone who is very hungry
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
jewellernoun
someone who makes jewelry
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
immediately past
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
one of four equal parts
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
To recall to mind.
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
express in words
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
do one's shopping
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
term of address for a man
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading You must be wanting your supper, sir."
supper-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
create by training and teaching
From this reading "He must be coming by the last train after all, sir," said the housekeeper entering the room and glancing at the clock.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
nonexistent
From this reading "I suppose these London gentlemen keep such late hours they don't understand us country folk wanting to get to bed in decent time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was a quarter to ten by the small town clock on the mantelpiece, and the jeweller rubbing his hands over the fire tried in vain to remember what etiquette had to say about starting a meal before the arrival of an expected guest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Higgs, jeweller, sat in the small parlour behind his shop, gazing hungrily at a supper-table which had been laid some time before.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You must be wanting your supper, sir."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You must be wanting your supper, sir."
