used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER HELPER.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
compulsionnounUS /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
having made preparations
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
Geoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
HELPERnounUS /ˈhelpər/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading ANOTHER HELPER.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
ten 10s
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
not in action or at work
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
the literary culture
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
a room where books are kept
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
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 On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
and nothing more
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
Identical; not different.
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
StantonnounUS /ˈstæntən/
United States suffragist and feminist; called for reform of the practices that perpetuated sexual inequality (1815-1902)
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
tacklenounUS /ˈtækəl/
the person who plays that position on a football team
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
unsettledadjectiveUS /ənˈsetəld/
still in doubt
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Generally he was so much interested in what was real work that he did it heartily, glad of the honest compulsion; but on this morning he was unsettled, and not in his usual mood of industry.
at the time that
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Perhaps it was only natural in these circumstances that Geoff should be unusually idle, and not at all disposed to tackle to his work.
produce a literary work
From this reading He had letters to write, he had the accounts of his agent to look over, and a hundred other very pressing matters which demanded his close attention.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading On that same morning when so many things occurred, young Lord Stanton was seated in the library at Stanton, with a great deal of business to do.
