used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
(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 Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
allusionsnounUS /əˈluːʒənz/
plural of “allusion” — passing reference or indirect mention
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
Ashton-Kirk's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
in a serious manner
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
the act of consuming food
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
Edouard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
Edouard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
gentlemanlyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəlmənli/
befitting a man of good breeding
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
death of a person
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
only a very short time before
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
immobileadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmoʊbəl/
not capable of movement or of being moved
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
of great significance or value
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
the force of workers available
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
Identical; not different.
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading And at best Edouard's delicate art that day received but scant attention.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
sprinkledverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəld/
past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
Stumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
a special situation
From this reading Stumph could hardly conceive of a more important thing than the proper and gentlemanly eating of one's dinner.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
UNEXPECTEDLYadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
VALEnounUS /veɪl/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat grieved that day to receive orders that dinner was to be served an hour earlier than usual.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
at the time that
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
work-a-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Stumph, grave and immobile, was betrayed into an expression of astonishment when his master and guest sat down to the same dinner in their work-a-day attire.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Nevertheless other things engaged the attention of the two young men; they talked earnestly and in incomprehensible terms; mysterious allusions were sprinkled thickly through it all.
