used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
(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 The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
cause to be bored
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
BurgessnounUS /ˈbɜːrdʒəs/
English writer of satirical novels (1917-1993)
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
cancelverbUS /ˈkænsəl/
postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
chocolatenounUS /ˈtʃɔːklət/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
demurelyadverbUS /dɪˈmjʊrli/
in a demure manner
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
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 moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
set up or found
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
Ingraham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a female domestic
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
MovesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
in motion
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a human being
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
PietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
remarkingverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
rollsnounUS /roʊlz/
plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In a few moments after he had reached his room Keith Burgess heard a knock at his door.
RUBAIYAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading —THE RUBAIYAT.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The tray held an exquisite china service for one person, a pot of chocolate, and delicate rolls and cakes.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
white-capped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
which person or people
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Opening it, he found a neat, white-capped maid who bore a tray; entering demurely, she placed it upon a small table, remarking that Mrs. Ingraham thought he would need refreshment.
writnounUS /rɪt/
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The Moving Finger writes; and having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
