used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
approvinglyadverbUS /əˈpruːvɪŋli/
in an approving manner
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
beatitudenoun
a state of supreme happiness
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
CairnsnounUS /kernz/
plural of “cairn” — a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
a period of 100 years
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
decanternoun
a bottle with a stopper; for serving wine or water
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
delightfullyadverbUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
desultorily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
egoismnounUS /ˈiːɡoʊɪzəm/
(ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
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 He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
memoirsnounUS /ˈmemwɑːrz/
plural of “memoir” — an account of the author's personal experiences
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
noblewomen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
pergolanounUS /ˈpɜːrɡələ/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
relapseverbUS /riˈlæps/
deteriorate in health
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
rose-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
not in physical motion
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
sun-bonnet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
syphonnounUS /ˈsaɪfən/
a tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that gravity forces the liquid through the tube
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/
lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He spent many afternoons in the back garden under a rose-covered pergola.
unexcitingadjectiveUS /ənɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
not stimulating
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading WEEK after week passed on, and now monotony drew her stifling cloak over Victoria.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Cairns was still in a state of beatitude which made him an unexciting companion; satisfied in his egoism, it never came into his mind that Victoria could tire of her life.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
a Caucasian
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
in the company of; together with
From this reading By his side was a little table with a syphon, a decanter of whisky, and a box of cigars; he read desultorily, sometimes the latest motor novel, at other times the improving memoirs of eighteenth century noblewomen.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now and then he would look approvingly at Victoria in plain white drill, delightfully mischievous under a sun-bonnet, and relapse into his book.
