used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
how long something has existed
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading IN THE CHURCH.
datingnounUS /ˈdeɪtɪŋ/
use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
Eastbourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
a social unit living together
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
Felcar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
huesnounUS /hjuːz/
plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE CHURCH.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
immediately past
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
in the recent past
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
the act of departing
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
MANORnounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
mellowadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊ/
unhurried and relaxed
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
not any; not one
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
and nothing more
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
pretensionsnounUS /prəˈtenʃənz/
plural of “pretension” — a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
purchasedverbUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəst/
past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
one of four equal parts
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
quitverbUS /kwɪt/
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
red-brickadjective
of or relating to British universities founded in the late 19th century or the 20th century
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
redeemedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdiːmd/
saved from the bondage of sin
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
representativenounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/
a person who represents others
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
for a short time
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
make square
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
Tait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had purchased it lately at a small price from old Miss Felcar, the last representative of that ancient family.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE CHURCH.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
THORSTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
uglinessnounUS /ˈʌɡlinəs/
qualities of appearance that do not give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The house itself was of no great pretensions, or age, dating only from the second George--a square, red-brick mansion, only redeemed from actual ugliness by the mellow beauty of its hues.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THORSTON MANOR, built in broad meadow land, about a quarter of a mile from the village, was now the property of Spencer Tait.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She, unable to maintain the house in its original splendor, got quit of it altogether in this way, and shortly afterward took up her quarters at Eastbourne, leaving the house of her ancestors in the possession of a stranger.
