used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
in addition
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
any thing at all
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
atoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
CALAMITYnounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
compressedadjectiveUS /kəmˈprest/
pressed tightly together
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
take in solid food
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
economicadjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪk/
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
divisible by two
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
excusedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzd/
granted exemption
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
governingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
set down according to a plan
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
go away from a place
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
the act of departing
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
menunounUS /ˈmenjuː/
a list of dishes available at a restaurant
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
muttonnounUS /ˈmʌtən/
meat from a mature domestic sheep
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
nibbledverbUS /ˈnɪbəld/
past form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
puddingnounUS /ˈpʊdɪŋ/
any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
remnantnounUS /ˈremnənt/
a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
repastnoun
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
richeradjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃər/
comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
saucyadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːsi/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading 'Come, Henry,' said Aunt Annie, 'don't leave a saucy plate.'
an educational institution
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
required or under orders
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
a special situation
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had the first course been anything richer than cold mutton, Henry could not have pretended even to begin the repast.
unobtrusivelyadverb
in an unobtrusive manner
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CALAMITY FOR THE SCHOOL It was a most fortunate thing that there was cold mutton for dinner.
wastefuladjectiveUS /ˈweɪstfəl/
inefficient in use of time and effort and materials
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As it was, he ate a little of the lean, leaving a wasteful margin of lean round the fat, which he was not supposed to eat; he also nibbled at the potatoes, and compressed the large remnant of them into the smallest possible space on the plate; then he unobtrusively laid down his knife and fork.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The economic principle governing the arrangement of the menu was that the simplicity of the mutton atoned for the extravagance of the birthday pudding, while the extravagance of the birthday pudding excused the simplicity of the mutton.
