used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
a young person of either sex
From this reading CHILD NONSENSE.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
divisible by two
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading One word of introductory explanation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
usually; as a rule
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
for this reason
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
introductoryadjectiveUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌktəri/
serving to open or begin
From this reading One word of introductory explanation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
Marion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading CHILD NONSENSE.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One word of introductory explanation.
many times at short intervals
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One word of introductory explanation.
by chance
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
permittingverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
refrain from harming
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
a special situation
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a great thing for them; for, although they were well enough cared for, they were necessarily left to themselves a good deal more than hitherto.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading One word of introductory explanation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading During my husband's illness, Marion came often, but, until he began to recover, would generally spend with the children the whole of the time she had to spare, not even permitting me to know that she was in the house.
but in spite of that
From this reading Hence, perhaps, it came that they betook themselves to an amusement not uncommon with children, of which I had as yet seen nothing amongst them.
