used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
culpritnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪt/
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
a social unit living together
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
a boy or man
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
fire-works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
half-castenoun
an offensive term for the offspring of parents of different racial groups or cultures
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
hot-weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
the act of departing
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
MadrasnounUS /ˈmædrəs/
a state in southeastern India on the Bay of Bengal (south of Andhra Pradesh); formerly Madras
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
Mallender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
the light of the Moon
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
not in physical motion
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
as might be expected
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
pronouncingverbUS /prəˈnaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “pronounce” — speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
determined
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
rigidlyadverbUS /ˈrɪdʒɪdli/
in a rigid manner
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
Rochfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
cut with a saw
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
express in words
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
tom-toms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
tramsnounUS /træmz/
plural of “tram” — a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was bright moonlight--an orange hot-weather moon--as Mrs. Rochfort and her escort, leaving behind them the sound of trams, tom-toms, and fire-works, sped smoothly out of Madras, and away into the sleepy country.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mallender for his part instinctively realised the many vital questions that were being debated in the mind of his rigidly motionless companion, and maintained a prudent silence.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
in the company of; together with
From this reading What could she say or do? how deal with the situation?
but in spite of that
From this reading Naturally everything she beheld was new to the lady, yet in one sense she saw nothing but her miserable, weak husband, and his family of half-caste children.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was true, as this young fellow had declared, that hers was the stronger character, and before pronouncing judgment she resolved to see and hear the culprit.
