used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
AbbeynounUS /ˈæbi/
a church associated with a monastery or convent
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
button-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
card-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
the act of departing
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
Despard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
expandverbUS /ɪkˈspænd/
extend in one or more directions
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
set up or found
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
FRIDAYnounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
a man of refinement
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
geraniumnounUS /dʒərˈeɪniəm/
any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
Rollo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
up to a particular time
From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
