used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
Alice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
(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 A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
AriadnenounUS /ˌeriˈædni/
beautiful daughter of Minos and Pasiphae; she fell in love with Theseus and gave him the thread with which he found his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
BacchusnounUS /ˈbækɪs/
(classical mythology) god of wine; equivalent of Dionysus
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
bindingnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
Cameron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
compromisingadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
making or willing to make concessions
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
deem to be
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
having the place or position changed
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
enjoyableadjectiveUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
set up or found
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
at any time
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
a social unit living together
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
KeelingverbUS /ˈkiːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “keel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
take the midday meal
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
not any; not one
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
not one, and not any
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
sanctuarynounUS /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/
A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A pretty cover!... somehow Alice’s appreciation was more hopeless than if she had not admired it at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
tooledverbUS /tuːld/
past form of “tool” — drive
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then, opening it, she had come across a slightly compromising picture of Bacchus and Ariadne, and had turned over in such a hurry she had crumpled the corner of the page.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
uninterruptedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪntərˈʌptɪd/
having undisturbed continuity
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Mr Keeling was accustomed to consider the hour or two after lunch on Sunday as the most enjoyable time in the week, for then he gave himself up to the full and uninterrupted pursuit of his hobby.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
at the time that
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before now he had tried to establish with one or other of them the communication of his joy in his books: he had asked Alice into his sanctuary one Sunday, but when he had shown her an exquisitely tooled binding by Cameron, she had said, ‘Oh, what a pretty cover!’
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading None of his family ever came into his study without invitation, and since he never gave such invitation, he had no fear about being disturbed.
