used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
ABBOTSMEAD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
(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 _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
batchnounUS /bætʃ/
all the loaves of bread baked at the same time
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
Bessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
Betts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
conjectured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
cursorilyadverb
without taking pains
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
dressing-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
Fairfax's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
set up or found
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
brought together in one place
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
the literary culture
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
octagonnounUS /ˈɑːktəɡɑːn/
an eight-sided polygon
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a fine, frosty night, and the sky was full of stars.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _ABBOTSMEAD IN SHADOW._ Mr. Fairfax's letters were brought to him, and after glancing cursorily through the batch, he gathered them all up and went off to his private room.
at the time that
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Being dressed, Bessie descended to the octagon room, which she found empty.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bessie conjectured that he would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, and she took a walk in the park until dusk, when she returned to the house and retired to her own parlor.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The dressing-bell rang at a quarter to seven, as usual, and Mrs. Betts came to assist at her young lady's toilet.
