used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
approveverbUS /əˈpruːv/
give sanction to
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
brimnounUS /brɪm/
the top edge of a vessel or other container
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
button-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
caraffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
cascadeverbUS /kæˈskeɪd/
rush down in big quantities, like a cascade
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
champagnenounUS /ʃæmˈpeɪn/
a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
without doubt; certainly
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
the organ of sight
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
opinion or judgment
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
fasteningnounUS /ˈfæsənɪŋ/
restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
a long fixed look
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
icedverbUS /aɪst/
past form of “ice” — decorate with frosting
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
MadridnounUS /məˈdrɪd/
the capital and largest city situated centrally in Spain; home of an outstanding art museum
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
napkinnounUS /ˈnæpkɪn/
a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
information about recent and important events
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading He pretended to be picking up the bread crumbs, and to be fastening his napkin to his button-hole, but he was looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
repressverbUS /riˈpres/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
express in words
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
table-cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
precisely as stated
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was doubtless in order to lead up to this piece of news that he had ordered a caraffe of iced champagne, a luxury always to be enjoyed, and the more so that the heat was beginning to grow intense and the air to be parched in Madrid.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
at the time that
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading My uncle avoided meeting my gaze, though I stared at him with my eyes wide open in amazement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I held the delicate glass, filled to the brim with that cool, golden liquid, and could not repress a start of surprise, when I heard his announcement, so that I dashed a little cascade of it on the table-cloth.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As he observed that I did not say a word, he went on, with a forced voice: “I shall be very glad if you and your mother approve of my marriage.”
