used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
anew
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was the only table-cloth we had.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
cindersnounUS /ˈsɪndərz/
plural of “cinder” — a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
Dearborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
at any time
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
a young female
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
and nothing more
From this reading But it was the only table-cloth we had.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
patternsnounUS /ˈpætərnz/
plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
portionsnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
representingverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
smokiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
smudgenounUS /smʌdʒ/
a smoky fire to drive away insects
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
spilledverbUS /spɪld/
past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
stainnounUS /steɪn/
a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
supper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
table-cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was the only table-cloth we had.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
a special situation
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
UnderwoodnounUS /ˈʌndərwʊd/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
the act of using
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If there was ever a more curious meal in Dearborn County than that first breakfast of ours in the barn, I never heard of it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But it was the only table-cloth we had.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was the stain of the tea which the Underwood girl had spilled in the excitement of the supper’s rough interruption; there were other marks of calamity upon it as well--the smudge of cinders, for one thing, and a general diffused effect of smokiness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading The dishes, too, were a queer lot, representing two or three sets of widely different patterns and value, other portions of which we should never see again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The big table was among the things saved from the living-room, and Esther spread it again with the cloth which had been in use on the previous evening.
