used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
in addition
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN AWKWARD QUESTION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
AWKWARDadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading AN AWKWARD QUESTION.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
Bradfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
champagnenounUS /ʃæmˈpeɪn/
a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
conventionallyadverbUS /kənˈvenʃənəli/
in a conventional manner
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
set up or found
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
genialitynounUS /ˌdʒiːniˈæləti/
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
Graham-Shute's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
Marrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
not any; not one
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
plumsnounUS /plʌmz/
plural of “plum” — any of several trees producing edible oval fruit having a smooth skin and a single hard stone
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading AN AWKWARD QUESTION.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
revelsnounUS /ˈrevəlz/
plural of “revel” — unrestrained merrymaking
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
refrain from harming
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
required or under orders
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
carry out
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
tastedverbUS /ˈteɪstɪd/
past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading But a spirit of mischief looked out of Mr. Graham-Shute’s grey eyes, while John Bradfield himself sat on thorns.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
precisely as stated
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
at the time that
From this reading When the ladies left the dining-room, a spirit very different from the kindly geniality, conventionally supposed to belong to the Christmas season, reigned over the revels there.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Alfred Marrable was, under the influence of the best dinner he had tasted for a long time, merry enough and to spare; while Donald also found happiness in French plums and champagne.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For Marrable would take no hint to be more reserved.
