used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Yet scarcely a one but had acquired some absurd malady.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Yet scarcely a one but had acquired some absurd malady.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
backdropnounUS /ˈbækdrɑːp/
scenery hung at back of stage
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
Biddies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
rid of obstructions
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
cluckingnounUS /ˈklʌkɪŋ/
the sound made by a hen (as in calling her chicks)
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
DaytimesnounUS /ˈdeɪtaɪmz/
plural of “daytime” — the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
gabbleverb
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
garrulousadjectiveUS /ˈɡerələs/
full of trivial conversation
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
hi-finounUS /ˈhaɪˈfaɪ/
equipment for the reproduction of sound with high fidelity
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
hobbyistnounUS /ˈhɑːbiɪst/
a person who pursues an activity in their spare time for pleasure
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
inaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneɪn/
extremely silly or stupid
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading Yet scarcely a one but had acquired some absurd malady.
the force of workers available
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
and nothing more
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
having a point
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
ravagesnounUS /ˈrævɪdʒɪz/
plural of “ravage” — (usually plural) a destructive action
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
renewalnounUS /rɪˈnuːəl/
the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation
From this reading They had come for health and renewal, clucking of the ravages of city life.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
only a very short time before
From this reading Yet scarcely a one but had acquired some absurd malady.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Yet scarcely a one but had acquired some absurd malady.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Biddies and garrulous men--fools one and all, he told himself.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had come to be with nature, they said; but the clear, deep lake with its rocks and pointed firs, and the mountains beyond were merely a backdrop for their inane gabble.
Woodard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
but in spite of that
From this reading _A quiet concert in the evening by the lake ... a harmless hi-fi hobbyist ... yet why did Woodard tremble at the sound, sound, sound._ Daytimes, Woodard wasted little speech on the other guests at the summer hotel.
