used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/
remote in manner
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
any strong feeling
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Half strangers felt a familiarity toward each other.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Half strangers felt a familiarity toward each other.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
friendlinessnounUS /ˈfrendlinɪs/
a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half strangers felt a familiarity toward each other.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
intimatesnounUS /ˈɪntəməts/
plural of “intimate” — someone to whom private matters are confided
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
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 Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
the force of workers available
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
and nothing more
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
prestigenounUS /preˈstiːʒ/
a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Half strangers felt a familiarity toward each other.
symbolsnounUS /ˈsɪmbəlz/
plural of “symbol” — an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Half strangers felt a familiarity toward each other.
trucenounUS /truːs/
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
underlayverb
raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type
From this reading Despite the embarrassment, a curious spirit of friendliness underlay the scene.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading Under the stamp of a common emotion and a common embarrassment, the company became for the time a collection of intimates, looking at one another and whispering among themselves as if the event were a truce.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
which person or people
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Men and women who knew each other only as aloof symbols of prestige, stood together and talked in whispers as if they were talking out of character.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there was something intimate among the company.
