used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
(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 Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
arbournounUS /ˈɑːrbər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
ashnounUS /æʃ/
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
the two together, not just one
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
brother-in-lawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/
a brother by marriage
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
brotherlyadjectiveUS /ˈbrʌðərli/
like or characteristic of or befitting a brother
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
at any time
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
Ferrars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
yet to be or coming
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading HUGH'S PARTING GIFT.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
hotteradjectiveUS /ˈhɑːtər/
comparative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
HUGH'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HUGH'S PARTING GIFT.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
inexhaustibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪɡˈzɔːstəbəl/
that cannot be entirely consumed or used up
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
LancelotnounUS /ˈlænsəlɑːt/
(Arthurian legend) one of the knights of the Round Table; friend of King Arthur until (according to some versions of the legend) he became the lover of Arthur's wife Guinevere
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
Merivale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
muttonnounUS /ˈmʌtən/
meat from a mature domestic sheep
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
of an obscure nature
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
the act of departing politely
From this reading HUGH'S PARTING GIFT.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading After dinner he had been introduced to the studio, as being a place likely to interest him.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
precisely as stated
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
showing sorrow
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Of course they have the advantage of being able to see all that goes on outside, while quite invisible themselves.
which person or people
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They are talking on the usual inexhaustible subject of the present time, namely, their future brother-in-law, Mr. Lancelot Ferrars, who has been down, and having had a mysterious talk with Mrs. Merivale in the drawing-room, has taken early dinner (not cold mutton) with them in quite a brotherly sort of fashion.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A few afternoons later Honor and Molly are both seated at work under the weeping ash, but the weather being hotter than ever they have retired to the very back of the natural arbour which the drooping boughs form.
