used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
from one side of something to the other
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
any thing at all
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
By-the-bye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
ejaculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh!” ejaculated the Colonel.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
Follitt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
only a very short time before
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
monosyllablenoun
a word or utterance of one syllable
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
neutralitynounUS /nuːˈtræləti/
nonparticipation in a dispute or war
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
not any; not one
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh!” ejaculated the Colonel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
in the near future
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
hurting
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
tea-things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Aware that it would be hardly possible to find fault with the monosyllable, he slowly stirred his tea.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?”
