used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
matters of personal concern
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
in the past
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
(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 Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
attaché
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
authoritiesnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
creditorsnounUS /ˈkredɪtərz/
plural of “creditor” — a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
DovernounUS /ˈdoʊvər/
the capital of the state of Delaware
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
embassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
GauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
Lynton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
Mildred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
objectionableadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒekʃənəbəl/
causing disapproval or protest
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
on one occasion
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
continue talking
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
term of address for a man
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
tempersnounUS /ˈtempərz/
plural of “temper” — a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An attaché to the British embassy in Paris, he had received peremptory instructions by cable from Sir Keith Hamilton, the secretary of state for foreign affairs, to proceed to London and report himself at the foreign office, immediately upon his arrival.
urgentlyadverbUS /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/
with great urgency
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Earl of Lynton was not in the best of tempers as he entered the boat train at Dover, on his way to London.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading It was natural that he should be curious as to the reason why his presence should be so urgently required.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Earl was a very ordinary sort of man of average intelligence, but with a keen capacity for the enjoyment of life.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
a late time of life
From this reading Had it been a couple of years ago he would have imagined that his many creditors had been making themselves objectionable to the authorities, but his sister Mildred’s marriage to John Gaunt had, once for all, removed that sort of worry from his life.
