used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
the lower side of anything
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
broomsnounUS /bruːmz/
plural of “broom” — a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
curatenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
DOROTHY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
everybody's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
Fitzmorris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
set up or found
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
the act of giving
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
mopsnounUS /mɑːps/
plural of “mop” — cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
something you have to do
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
ordealsnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːlz/
plural of “ordeal” — a severe or trying experience
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
parsonagenounUS /ˈpɑːrsənɪdʒ/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
retracingverbUS /riˈtreɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “retrace” — to go back over again
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
stowingnounUS /ˈstoʊwɪŋ/
the act of packing or storing away
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
the upper part of anything
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She found Mrs. Martin up to her eyes in business, taking up carpets, shifting furniture, and giving the house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
precisely as stated
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
VICARnounUS /ˈvɪkər/
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dorothy was not long in retracing her steps to the parsonage.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
which person or people
From this reading The curate, who was generally very helpless on such occasions, and decidedly in everybody's way during these domestic ordeals, was busy stowing away books and papers out of the reach of mops and brooms.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
in the company of; together with
From this reading DOROTHY DOES NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE VICAR AT FIRST SIGHT.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now, Dorothy, which do you think will be the best room to give Mr. Fitzmorris for his study?
