used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
AcceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/
tolerating without protest
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
on or to one side
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
Bate'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
for the reason that
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
Beulah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
ByronnounUS /ˈbaɪrən/
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
Byron'snounUS /ˈbaɪrənz/
possessive form of “byron” — English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
civilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
condolencesnounUS /kənˈdoʊlənsəz/
plural of “condolence” — an expression of sympathy with another's grief
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
cordialitynoun
a cordial disposition
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
glassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlæsi/
resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
gooky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
of great significance or value
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
incumbentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/
lying or leaning on something else
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
engage in
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
a human being
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
Sabina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
in the near future
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
Sowden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
Sowdens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
unresponsiveadjectiveUS /ˌʌnriˈspɑːnsɪv/
not responding to some influence or stimulus
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pleased that this important farmer should be the first to cross his threshold be showed it by his greeting; but to Beulah Sowden it made little difference how he was received.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Sowdens were come because Sabina Byron’s mother had been cousin to Beulah and, as soon as the civilities incumbent on them had been duly observed, they stood aside to make room for others.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Accepting Byron’s cordiality with his usual reserve he left his wife, a faded person in a gooky bonnet, to offer their condolences.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a little tight silent man, with glassy eyes and an unresponsive manner.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mrs. Bate’ll let you know," said Byron hastily and turned to shake old Sowden by the hand.
