used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
(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 They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
barbaricadjectiveUS /bɑːrˈbærɪk/
without civilizing influences
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
jewellerynoun
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
OrientaladjectiveUS /ˌɔːriˈentəl/
denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
ostentatiousadjectiveUS /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəs/
intended to attract notice and impress others
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
a strong line
From this reading It was not a rope of diamonds—it was a collar.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something Oriental and barbaric in the overwhelming display of jewellery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
thiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
wearer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his seat at the farther end of the table he looked at the jewels as they gleamed on their wearer’s neck.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They were almost too ostentatious for what was, after all, an informal dinner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was a prize for which a thief would risk much.
