used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PROLOGUE.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
how long something has existed
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
Belassis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
clerkshipnoun
the job of clerk
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
commenceverbUS /kəˈmens/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
counting-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
Debenham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
where you live at a particular time
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
a message received and understood
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
and nothing more
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
a boy or man
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
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 In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
merchant'snounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/
possessive form of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
PROLOGUEnounUS /ˈproʊlɑːɡ/
an introduction to a play
From this reading A PROLOGUE.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
repairnounUS /rɪˈper/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
signedadjectiveUS /saɪnd/
having a handwritten signature
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
uncongenialadjective
not suitable to your tastes or needs
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
the act of using
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
West-country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
the words that are spoken
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In consequence of this arrangement, the affectionate uncle went on to explain, it would be impossible for the lad to pay the visit to the West-country home to which he had so long looked forward.
a late time of life
From this reading Philip Debenham, at the advanced age of eighteen years, was, to use his own words, ‘a desperate man.’
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The piece of intelligence was this, that his affectionate uncle had secured for his young nephew a clerkship in a City merchant’s counting-house, and that he was to repair thither on the following day to commence his uncongenial labours.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The cause of his desperation was a piece of information he had just received in a letter, which lay open before him, and which was signed ‘Your affectionate uncle, Alfred Belassis.’
