used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
for the reason that
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
confidencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/
plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
downrightadverbUS /ˈdaʊnraɪt/
thoroughgoing
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
durned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
Femm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
and nothing more
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
outburstnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
Penderel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
by chance
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
scaffoldnounUS /ˈskæfəld/
a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had Penderel (and the house itself too, perhaps) to thank for that, because it was that outburst of confidences round the table that had done him good.
on a floor above
From this reading Following Femm upstairs left ample time for reflection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Philip was telling himself that he felt a durned sight better.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To begin with, he had let off steam himself, which made an immense difference.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He seemed to move not merely slowly but with downright reluctance, as if he were climbing to the scaffold.
