used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
analyseverb
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
next to; at the side of
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
cookerynoun
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
Dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
divisible by two
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
set up or found
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
death of a person
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
hear with intention
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
OddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
by chance
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
taciturnadjectiveUS /ˈtæsɪtɜːrn/
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
unavowedadjective
not openly expressed
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
under normal conditions
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
Varbarriere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some private Talk of Varbarriere and Lady Alice at the Dinner-table.
veinnounUS /veɪn/
a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading He was usually taciturn and absorbed during the process; but on this occasion he made an effort, and talked a good deal in a grave, but, as the old lady thought, an agreeable and kindly vein.
precisely as stated
From this reading Oddly enough, he led the conversation to his nephew, and found his companion very ready indeed to listen, as perhaps he had anticipated, and even to question him on this theme with close but unavowed interest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At dinner he was placed beside the old lady.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He understood good cookery, and with him to dine was to analyse and contemplate.
