used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
AmbrosenounUS /ˈæmbroʊz/
(Roman Catholic Church) Roman priest who became bishop of Milan
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
AustinnounUS /ˈɔːstən/
state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
estatesnounUS /ɪˈsteɪts/
plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
the act of departing
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
the literary culture
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
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 Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
pertainingverbUS /pərˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “pertain” — be relevant to
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
photographedverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræft/
past form of “photograph” — record on photographic film
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
express in words
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
precisely as stated
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading He commenced a letter to Violet herself, but after several attempts tore it up.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then he went out, and, leaving the city behind, wandered into the country beyond.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Still thinking of Margaret and the picture which in so mysterious and strange a manner photographed her and her death, he returned to the palace, and was surprised to find that it was past four.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would see her before he started for the meeting, and say good-bye as cautiously as he could.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Blair wrote his letters--there were not many, for Austin Ambrose had so entirely undertaken the management of the vast estates that Blair knew very little about any business pertaining to them.
