used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
the state of being absent
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
(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 He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “Not a bit.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
CannibalnounUS /ˈkænəbəl/
a person who eats human flesh
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
Carlo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
deservesverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrvz/
third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
FishernounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
FlorencenounUS /ˈflɔːrəns/
a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
Hibbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
imitatedverbUS /ˈɪməteɪtɪd/
past form of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
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 He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
MontenounUS /ˈmɑːnti/
a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a bit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
ParliamentnounUS /ˈpɑːrləmənt/
a legislative assembly in certain countries
From this reading He looked like the King of the Cannibal Islands making an Act of Parliament all by himself.”
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
pompousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːmpəs/
puffed up with vanity
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
propensitiesnounUS /prəˈpensətiz/
plural of “propensity” — an inclination to do something
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
on the contrary
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
interact in a certain way
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
precisely as stated
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
Wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
at the time that
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
Whitsuntidenoun
Christian holiday; the week beginning on Whitsunday (especially the first 3 days)
From this reading “Fisher was quite pleased when I asked him if we could get off to Monte Carlo at Whitsuntide for a fortnight,” Walter told Florence a few weeks later.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He looked as if he would like to go too; said, in rather a pompous manner”—and Walter imitated his editor exactly—“‘Certainly, certainly; I think, Hibbert, your wife deserves a little treat of some sort after your long absence in the winter, and I am very glad if it is in my power to help you to give it to her.’
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Wasn’t he shocked at your gambling propensities?”
