used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
antecedentsnounUS /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/
plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading No one knew much of his antecedents.
any person at all
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
Ayresford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
dearly loved
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
a small house with a single story
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
an established custom
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
a social unit living together
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
humdrumadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmdrʌm/
not challenging; dull and lacking excitement
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading No one knew much of his antecedents.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading No one knew much of his antecedents.
not any; not one
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one knew much of his antecedents.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
semi-detached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
somnolentadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmnələnt/
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
having a supporting base
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
Sylvester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
UsherverbUS /ˈʌʃər/
take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading Mr. Usher the elder had settled down in Ayresford a few months after the death of Sylvester's mother.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading At first he had taken a small cottage, then a semi-detached villa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He was not beloved in Ayresford on account of his habit of telling dull stories of uninteresting incidents in his past career; but as he went to church regularly and did no particular harm to anybody, he was accepted as a member of the humdrum society of the somnolent little town.
WoodlandsnounUS /ˈwʊdlændz/
plural of “woodland” — land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading Finally, he had transferred his household gods to a comfortable little house standing in its own grounds not far from Woodlands.
