used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
(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 On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
any person at all
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
ApparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the scenes many things were happening.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
enjoymentsnounUS /enˈdʒɔɪmənts/
plural of “enjoyment” — the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
Eric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
golfedverbUS /ɡɑːlft/
past form of “golf” — play golf
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading Behind the scenes many things were happening.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
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 On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
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 Behind the scenes many things were happening.
motoredadjective
equipped with a motor or motors
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
outwardlyadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdli/
with respect to the outside
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
ownershipnounUS /ˈoʊnərʃɪp/
the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
passionatelyadverbUS /ˈpæʃənətli/
with passion
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
repugnantadjectiveUS /rɪˈpʌɡnənt/
offensive to the mind
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
SandersnounUS /ˈsændərz/
plural of “sander” — a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading Behind the scenes many things were happening.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
term of address for a man
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
in the near future
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They golfed and motored and played tennis.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Behind the scenes many things were happening.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading An Apparition The next three days passed outwardly in the usual enjoyments of a country house-party.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was obvious to anyone that Eric Sanders and Mabel had come to an understanding, though a definite engagement so soon after the death of Sir James was repugnant to her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Behind the scenes many things were happening.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the other hand, so long as she had had to fight a battle with her father on behalf of Eric, she had been passionately devoted to him; but now that all opposition had ceased at the gates of the vault, and things had become easy, she almost resented the air of ownership with which Eric treated her.
