used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
alleysnounUS /ˈæliz/
plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
CommonsnounUS /ˈkɑːmənz/
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
a state at a particular time
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
D'Estrange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
dispersingverbUS /dɪˈspɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “disperse” — distribute loosely
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
filthyadjectiveUS /ˈfɪlθi/
disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
HectornounUS /ˈhektər/
(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It has been a great night for Hector D’Estrange.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
not any; not one
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
novicenounUS /ˈnɑːvəs/
someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
held or filled or in use
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
protractedadjectiveUS /proʊˈtræktɪd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
slumsnounUS /slʌmz/
plural of “slum” — a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
spell-boundadjective
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There has been a late sitting in the House of Commons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading But twelve o’clock, midnight, has struck, and the Commons are dispersing.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He has spoken for an hour and a half to a spell-bound audience; for does it not know full well that the subject of that night’s discussion is one in which he is no novice, it having been undertaken on his own motion?
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A protracted debate on the crowded condition of the filthy alleys and slums in that most wonderful city of the world, London, has kept members fully occupied.
