used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading Deb knelt, perplexed, musing, a vestal before the altar....
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
any person at all
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Deb knelt, perplexed, musing, a vestal before the altar....
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
taking care or paying attention
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
ChorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
CORAnounUS /ˈkɔːrə/
(Greek mythology) daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
DebnounUS /deb/
a young woman making her debut into society
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
divisible by two
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
evening'snounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
possessive form of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
fatallyadverbUS /ˈfeɪtəli/
with fatal consequences or implications
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
gold-lettered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
and nothing more
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
kerosenenounUS /ˈkerəsiːn/
a flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
loungeverbUS /laʊndʒ/
sit or recline comfortably
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
MontagunounUS /ˈmɑːntəɡjuː/
United States anthropologist (born in England) who popularized anthropology (1905-)
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Deb knelt, perplexed, musing, a vestal before the altar....
nicknamenounUS /ˈnɪkneɪm/
a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
oil-stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading Deb knelt, perplexed, musing, a vestal before the altar....
personalitynounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/
the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
punningnoun
a humorous play on words
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
squatverbUS /skwɑːt/
sit on one's heels
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
tanknounUS /tæŋk/
an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
trickleverbUS /ˈtrɪkəl/
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
vestaladjectiveUS /ˈvestəl/
of or relating to Vesta
From this reading Deb knelt, perplexed, musing, a vestal before the altar....
votaries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading “Does anyone want an oil-stove cheap?” she demanded, rushing like tragedy upon the assembled company in the lounge of Montagu Hall Hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
at the time that
From this reading Cora was six weeks old, and was just losing her first fragrance when Deb bought her....
belonging to which person
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading Cora was essential to the evening’s enjoyment of her three votaries; their friendship grouped itself round her personality, and Aunt Stella, whose wit ran fatally in the direction of punning, had even dared to nickname their union the Chorus.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I Deb knelt in front of the squat sturdy oil-stove with “CORA” gold-lettered across its front, and began carefully to trickle a supply of kerosene into the tank.
