used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
(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 Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading My best love to you and my girls.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
COLLIERnounUS /ˈkɑːljər/
someone who works in a coal mine
From this reading JOHN DYER COLLIER [No date.]
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the specified day of the month
From this reading JOHN DYER COLLIER [No date.]
dearly loved
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
DYERnounUS /ˈdaɪər/
someone whose job is to dye cloth
From this reading JOHN DYER COLLIER [No date.]
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN DYER COLLIER [No date.]
LAMBnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading MARY LAMB TO MRS.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading My best love to you and my girls.
mantua-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading MARY LAMB TO MRS.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MARY LAMB TO MRS.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
not any; not one
From this reading JOHN DYER COLLIER [No date.]
a brief written record
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARY LAMB TO MRS.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
precisely as stated
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Dear Mrs. C.--This note will be given to you by a young friend of mine, whom I wish you would employ: she has commenced business as a mantua-maker, and, if you and my girls would try her, I think she could fit you all three, and it will be doing her an essential service.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She is, I think, very deserving, and if you procure work for her among your friends and acquaintances, so much the better.
