used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
(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 And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
for the reason that
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
deareradjectiveUS /ˈdɪrər/
comparative of “dear” — dearly loved
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
highest in quality
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
interposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
lazilyadverbUS /ˈlæzəli/
in a slow and lazy manner
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
leathern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
Merriam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
not one, and not any
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
preferringverbUS /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading This after-dinner scene was a familiar one; familiarity had made it dearer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
unsparinglyadverb
in a scathing and unsparing manner
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
look attentively
From this reading Now and then she interposed a remark, but lazily, preferring to watch the play of expression on their faces, to dream dreams about them, and to realise her own happiness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She sat in a leathern armchair by the fireplace, listening to the talk of her two companions, who were sitting by the dinner table over their coffee.
at the time that
From this reading It was Irene Merriam’s hour of greatest content when she looked into her heart for a fugitive desire and smiled at finding none.
which person or people
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And this was a source of all the more comfort, because she was a woman who gave unsparingly of herself to life, and made large claims upon life in return.
