used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Adair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
baizenounUS /beɪz/
a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
balladnounUS /ˈbæləd/
a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
bluesnounUS /bluːz/
a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
carefully weighed
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
livelieradjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliər/
comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
a form of address for a man
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Nell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
over-strung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
proficientadjectiveUS /prɑːˈfɪʃənt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
respectfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈspektfəl/
full of or exhibiting respect
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
in the near future
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
Usk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
