used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
in addition
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
bigotedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡətɪd/
blindly and obstinately attached to some creed or opinion and intolerant toward others
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
championnounUS /ˈtʃæmpiən/
someone who has won first place in a competition
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
exhibitingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
Fergus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
a man of refinement
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
hypocritenounUS /ˈhɪpəkrɪt/
a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
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 He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
a room where books are kept
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
not any; not one
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
on one occasion
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
paintingsnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋz/
plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
penuriousadjectiveUS /ˌpeˈnjuːriəs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
by chance
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
profligacynounUS /ˈprɔːflɪɡæsi/
the trait of spending extravagantly
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
ProtestantnounUS /ˈprɑːtəstənt/
an adherent of Protestantism
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
rackingadjectiveUS /ˈrækɪŋ/
causing great physical or mental suffering
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
Reilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
sensualadjectiveUS /ˈsenʃəwəl/
marked by the appetites and passions of the body
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
term of address for a man
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
confined on all sides
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
tenantrynoun
tenants of an estate considered as a group
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had also a fine collection of paintings, of which he knew no more than his butler, nor perhaps so much.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That gentleman was alone in his library, surrounded by an immense collection of books which he never read.
Whitecraft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As our readers may expect, they bent their steps to the magnificent residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading At once sensual, penurious, and bigoted, he spent his whole time in private profligacy--for he was a hypocrite, too--in racking his tenantry, and exhibiting himself as a champion for Protestant principles.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading --And a Curious Conversation We return to the party from whom Fergus Reilly had so narrow an escape.
