used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
DenvernounUS /ˈdenvər/
the state capital and largest city of Colorado; located in central Colorado on the South Platte river
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
divisible by two
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
Garling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
only a very short time before
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why had he asked Jack to stay?
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
a small worthless amount
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
immediately past
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
MechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
PortsmouthnounUS /ˈpɔːrtsməθ/
a port city in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk; naval base; shipyards
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/
one who lives in solitude
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
Identical; not different.
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
having a supporting base
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
a special situation
From this reading Such a thing was so completely foreign to her husband’s habits of late.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
veritableadjectiveUS /ˈverɪtəbəl/
often used as intensifiers
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mechanically she helped herself to some dish which the footman was handing to her, hardly knowing what it was she took.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading For the twentieth time Hilda Garling asked herself the same question—Why had her husband asked Jack Denver to stay?
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading For the last year or so he had grown more and more of a recluse, shutting himself away for hours and even days at a time, and having his meals served in his own room, until the big house standing back from the Portsmouth road had seemed a veritable prison to his wife.
