adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Davenant studied him and became thoughtful.
butteredverbUS /ˈbʌtərd/
past form of “butter” — spread butter on
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
constrainedadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnd/
lacking spontaneity; not natural
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
Davenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
distastefuladjectiveUS /dɪˈsteɪstfəl/
not pleasing in odor or taste
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
drinkingnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
Ernestine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
Ernestine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
fellowshipnounUS /ˈfeloʊʃɪp/
an association of people who share common beliefs or activities
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
illimitableadjective
without limits in extent or size or quantity
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
middle-age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
namelessadjectiveUS /ˈneɪm.ləs/
Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
OppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
sconesnounUS /skoʊnz/
plural of “scone” — small biscuit (rich with cream and eggs) cut into diamonds or sticks and baked in an oven or (especially originally) on a griddle
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Davenant studied him and became thoughtful.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
teanounUS /tiː/
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading Davenant studied him and became thoughtful.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
TrentnounUS /trent/
a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ernestine was a delightful hostess, she loved situations, and her social tact was illimitable.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a few minutes Trent was seated in a comfortable and solid chair with a little round table by his side, drinking tea and eating buttered scones, and if not altogether at his ease very nearly so.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And Ernestine herself chatted all the time, diffused good fellowship and tea--she made an atmosphere which had a nameless fascination for the man who had come to middle-age without knowing what a home meant.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Opposite him was Davenant, dying to escape yet constrained to be agreeable, and animated too with a keen, distasteful curiosity to watch Ernestine's methods.
