used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
any thing at all
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
BONNIEadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːni/
very pleasing to the eye
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
dinner-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
divertverbUS /daɪˈvɜːrt/
turn aside; turn away from
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
a social unit living together
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
easily agitated
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
and nothing more
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
OPENSnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
SrnounUS /ˈsiːnjər/
a soft silver-white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
a special situation
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the kind of conversation that is employed sometimes not only to conceal thought, but to divert attention from the fact that there is anything to think about.
hard to endure
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading Nevertheless, every member of the family was thinking hard--and uncomfortably.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BONNIE MAY OPENS THE DOOR There was a polite, somewhat nervous exchange of remarks at the table during the remainder of the dinner-hour.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mrs. Baron, he knew, was not disagreeable without at least an imaginary cause.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Baron, Sr., was trying patiently to determine what subtle thing had gone wrong.
