used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
(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 All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
terminate
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
put or send forth
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
contritionnounUS /kənˈtrɪʃən/
sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
a small house with a single story
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
employmentsnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənts/
plural of “employment” — the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
a social unit living together
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
a social unit living together
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
ManornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the force of workers available
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
and nothing more
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
overflowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈfloʊd/
past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
a male human offspring
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
summonverbUS /ˈsʌmən/
call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WILL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
unlooked-foradjective
not anticipated
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
at the time that
From this reading There was great consternation in the family when this sudden misfortune came upon it.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE WILL.
wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/
showing pensive sadness
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They took silent walks up and down to the river, and cast wistful looks at the boats, and dropped now and then into ordinary conversation, only to break off and pull themselves up with contrition when they remembered.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading During the two or three days of his illness the three young men wandered about the place, as young men do when there is fatal illness in a house--useless,--not liking to go about their usual employments, and not knowing what else to do.
youngestadjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡəst/
superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading All the bustling household from the Cottage overflowed into the Manor in the excitement of the unlooked-for event; and the eldest and the youngest son came as fast as the telegraph could summon them to their father’s bedside.
