used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
how long something has existed
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
antiquesnounUS /ænˈtiːks/
plural of “antique” — an elderly man
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
cheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
well in the past; former
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
disfavournoun
the state of being out of favor
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
Drewitt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
eyeingverbUS /ˈaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “eye” — look at
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
flavournoun
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
fruitlessadjectiveUS /ˈfruːtləs/
unproductive of success
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
immediately past
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
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 It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
engage in
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
nightlyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪtli/
happening every night
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
officiousnessnoun
aggressiveness as evidenced by intruding; by advancing yourself or your ideas without invitation
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
owedverbUS /oʊd/
past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
express in words
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
with low volume
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
not in physical motion
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
tournounUS /tʊr/
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
Tredgold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
two times
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
undeniableadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈnaɪəbəl/
not possible to deny
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not until she had twice made a fruitless tour of the room with the candle that she remembered that she had left it on the mantelpiece downstairs.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
look attentively
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That they were in excellent taste was undeniable, but there was a flavour of age and a suspicion of decay about them which did not make for cheerfulness.
in or at the place that
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading The captain was still below, and after a moment's hesitation she opened her door and went softly down the steep winding stairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Drewitt sat for some time in her room after the visitors had departed, eyeing with some disfavour the genuine antiques which she owed to the enterprise, not to say officiousness, of Edward Tredgold.
showing curiosity
From this reading She rose at last, and taking off her watch went through the nightly task of wondering where she had put the key after using it last.
