used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
Cannonby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
cross-purposes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were somewhat at cross-purposes.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
divisible by two
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
FredericknounUS /ˈfredrɪk/
a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
impartedverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪd/
past form of “impart” — transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
a message received and understood
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
Massingbird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading MEETING THE NEWS.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a particular point in time
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
information about recent and important events
From this reading MEETING THE NEWS.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading They were somewhat at cross-purposes.
express in speech
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He held her to him in the study, the door locked against intruders.
required or under orders
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MEETING THE NEWS.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were somewhat at cross-purposes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
VernernounUS /ˈvɜːrnər/
Danish philologist (1846-1896)
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
precisely as stated
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lionel supposed that the information had been imparted to her by Captain Cannonby; he never doubted but that she had been told Frederick Massingbird had returned and was on the scene; that he might come in any moment--even that very present one as they spoke--to put in his claim to her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were somewhat at cross-purposes.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Lionel Verner could not speak comfort to his wife; or, at the best, comfort of a most negative nature.
