used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
(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 “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
Antonia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
canteennounUS /kænˈtiːn/
a flask for carrying water; used by soldiers or travelers
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
crucibles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
DebnounUS /deb/
a young woman making her debut into society
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
divannounUS /dɪˈvæn/
a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall)
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
fagverbUS /fæɡ/
act as a servant for older boys, in British public schools
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
floppedverbUS /flɑːpt/
inflected form of “flop” — fall loosely
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
set up or found
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
freedverbUS /friːd/
past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
Gillian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
hotteradjectiveUS /ˈhɑːtər/
comparative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
and nothing more
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the literary culture
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
engage in
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
malarianounUS /məˈleriə/
an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
sakesnounUS /seɪks/
plural of “sake” — a reason for wanting something done
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
temporarilyadverbUS /ˌtempərˈerəli/
for a limited time only; not permanently
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
thinnernounUS /ˈθɪnər/
a diluting agent
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
hard to endure
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Antonia was temporarily freed from service by an attack of malaria on the part of her General.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
which person or people
From this reading I “If it gets any hotter, I shall be found melted down in one of my own crucibles,” Gillian wailed, to the accidental party of Deb, Nell and Antonia, who had flopped in to see her after a succession of stifling days at the latter end of July.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
Winifred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
Winnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why, what difference can that make?” from Winnie, quite happy on the divan.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading And Deb explained that since a couple of weeks Nell was working as her fag at the station canteen whence they had just come.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Winifred, I wish you’d try for all our sakes to get a little thinner; the mere sight of you in weather like this is trying—especially since you spell your name with such a lot of extra letters.”
