used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
actorsnounUS /ˈæktərz/
plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
ClaysnounUS /kleɪz/
plural of “clay” — a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
disporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
one or the other of two
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
set up or found
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
the act of departing
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
not any; not one
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
and nothing more
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
be seated
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
be standing; be upright
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As Alison had not arrived in time for supper, no one took any notice of her when she appeared.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The house was crowded--not only the long sitting room, but the little hall, and a good way up the stairs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A stage had been erected at one end of the sitting room; on this stage now the actors were disporting themselves.
at the time that
From this reading When Alison arrived at the Clays' the fun was in full swing.
in or at the place that
From this reading She found that it was quite impossible to hope to get a corner, either to sit or stand, in the room where the acting was going on.
