used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
(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 STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
balancingnounUS /ˈbælənsɪŋ/
getting two things to correspond
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
beliedverbUS /bɪˈlaɪd/
past form of “belie” — be in contradiction with
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
butteredverbUS /ˈbʌtərd/
past form of “butter” — spread butter on
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
chopsnounUS /tʃɑːps/
plural of “chop” — the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
culinaryadjectiveUS /ˈkjuːlɪneri/
of or relating to or used in cooking
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
cupsnounUS /kʌps/
plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
dottingverbUS /ˈdɑːtɪŋ/
inflected form of “dot” — scatter or intersperse like dots or studs
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
doughnutsnounUS /ˈdoʊnʌts/
plural of “doughnut” — a toroidal shape
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
drinkablenounUS /ˈdrɪnkəbəl/
any liquid suitable for drinking
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
entailedverbUS /ɪnˈteɪld/
past form of “entail” — have as a logical consequence
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
start firing a weapon
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
friedadjectiveUS /fraɪd/
cooked by frying in fat
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
of the present time and place
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
Jelly'snounUS /ˈdʒeliz/
possessive form of “jelly” — an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
and nothing more
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
Malcolm's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
mealyadjectiveUS /ˈmiːli/
containing meal or made of meal
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
not any; not one
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
pepper-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
by chance
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Malcolm’s opinion of his culinary ability was justified by results.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
rollsnounUS /roʊlz/
plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
SLUMBERnounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
smolderingadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊldərɪŋ/
showing scarcely suppressed anger
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
steaknounUS /steɪk/
a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
surprisinglyadverbUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋli/
in a surprising manner
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
a source of difficulty
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
(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 The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The steak was just right, Jelly’s chops were cooked to a turn, the two precious eggs were perfectly fried and the coffee――well, perhaps the coffee was a trifle muddy, but it was hot and it was drinkable and there were no criticisms.
at the time that
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
a Caucasian
From this reading The potatoes belied their outward appearance and were surprisingly white and mealy when opened.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They sat around the smoldering fire, balancing tin plates on their knees, with cups of steaming hot coffee and buttered rolls and doughnuts and salt and pepper-boxes dotting the immediate landscape, and did full justice to it.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading STORIES AND SLUMBER That dinner was worth waiting for, worth all the trouble and weariness it had entailed.
